By creating a satellite campus in Sandusky, Firelands Health sought to establish meaningful connections with the community and foster public engagement through outreach, offering amenities that could be utilized as neighborhood resources. The project consolidated existing disparate physician practice groups in a new state-of-the-art facility that serves as an extension of the Firelands brand and reinforces their commitment to the region.
The configuration of the building, while sympathetic to neighboring structures, also seeks to create a defined campus within the urban environment. The site layout incorporates a number of pedestrian-oriented spaces with landscape elements. By integrating natural features, the patient experience focuses on compassion and empathy.
The building builds on the concept of ‘outreach,’ both as a literal configuration of the building on the site, and community spaces within the facility. Public spaces are focused toward primary vehicular approaches to the building. A shared community space bisects the building on the first floor providing connection to an outdoor plaza.
The building materials palette incorporates architectural brand elements from Firelands’ main campus, but re-translates those elements in a contemporary design language. The design looks to incorporate bold elements as a signifier of the Firelands impact and commitment to the community. For example, a large glass canopy signifies main campus entries and expands the exterior waiting and drop-off area for visitors. On the interior, a dimensional feature wall provides visual connection from the lobby stair to primary reception.
A two-story volume provides open visibility to department waiting areas and provides space for the display of work by regional artists. Daylight is prominent in all waiting areas and second floor exam rooms are arranged around the perimeter to take advantage of natural light.
Specialties offered at this facility include pediatrics and internal medicine, as well as lab, imaging and communal meeting spaces. The design team worked with physician groups to integrate and streamline existing workflows. The layout creates a scalable module with exam rooms at the perimeter of team work areas.
