Working collaboratively with staff and clinicians, HCM provided planning and design for a new 117,000 sf addition to the existing hospital which will serve as the new main entrance at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. The organizing feature of the design is a three-story light filled atrium – the first impression as people enter the hospital. The atrium acts as a natural wayfinding element, orienting visitors on the third (ground) floor to the main north/south corridor as well as the new main elevators. The atrium also supports natural wayfinding on the upper two patient floors given the proximity and relationship of the visitor elevators and family waiting areas. Existing and new patient rooms look out onto the three-story space, giving more natural cues to patients and visitors.
The ground floor addition is centered around providing a robust community outreach program that includes wellness spaces, a retail pharmacy, a medical library, a gift shop, a kosher pantry, and food concepts. A reception desk and lounge furniture serve to activate the main circulation pathway within the atrium. The existing Yvonne Kahlert Chapel is being relocated from its current front door location to a special place within the spiritual center. A meditation room and chapel overlook an outdoor healing garden in the courtyard developed between the new and existing buildings to the south.
Two clinical floors, each comprised of 30-bed medical/surgical units are included above. The units support a patient centered care model and have the capability to flex into an intermediate care acuity, as needed. The project team gave special attention to creating spaces dedicated to caregivers, patients, and family members.
HCM also designed the 6,700 sf renovation of the existing hospital to support the new project, as well as aided in full documentation and support for the Certificate of Need Application to the Maryland Health Care Commission and the start of the site development approval with the state and county.
Learn more about this special project: https://www.gbmc.org/promiseproject
