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Boulder Community Foothills Hospital

Boulder, CO

The client's objective was to create a hospital focusing on women's healthcare so that the celebration of new life could be embraced within a built environment filled with comfort and joy. The design of this resort-like facility is aimed to reflect and respect a woman's need for nurturing and community. The preserved wetlands on this site allow for nature walks and quiet reflection, so as to heal the spirit while the body mends. Focus for this project was also on a family's needs during labor, delivery, and pediatrics, while also incorporating a diverse set of medical services - and, in our environmentally conscious community, on becoming the first hospital in the nation to become LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council, which the hospital achieved, earning a Silver Rating. The interior color palette was derived from a scarf brought from Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Boulder's sister city, by a hospital VP. From that, the design team developed warm, home-like, surroundings, reinforcing the theme of a women's influence throughout. This palette blends with Boulder's natural environment through two story columns wrapped with Colorado sandstone that flow inside from the outdoors. The Cafe offers a variety of seating, from booths to cafe tops, creating an energizing yet relaxing place that has the feel of a restaurant with its own brick pizza oven. The waiting experience is gentled by the use of fireplaces within waiting rooms, and public areas use commercial furniture in highly durable, but luxurious fabrics. The design team also incorporated art in the interior architecture, using multi-colored glass and natural stone mosaics. Boulder Community Hospital stressed the importance of using local artists, which reinforced the community focus. With the LEED certification goal, the interiors team took an earth friendly approach to materials - eco-friendly products were selected for durability that had to meet the hospital's strict maintenance requirements. By bringing all of these qualities together, the new hospital has become a singular place for the local community to heal and rejoice in new life - one that also preserves and respects Earth's environment.

CREDITS

Interiors designed in conjunction with Boulder Associates

Awards:
2005 - Groundbreakers Award, Green Built Project of the Year
2005 - VISTA Award, American Society of healthcare Engineering
2004 - AIA Honor Award, Colorado North Chapter
2004 - ASID Merit Award, Colorado Chapter
2004 - ASID Honorable Mention Award, Colorado Chapter
2004 - Colorad Renewable Energy Society Sustainablity Award for Commercial Architecture