Bringing its signature look and quality healthcare to San Tan Valley, Arizona, the new Banner Health Ironwood Medical Center greenfield facility is starting off as a 230,000-square-foot, 144-bed facility, with big plans to expand along with the fastest-growing community in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Characterized by clean lines, planes, solid massing, and a contemporary look, the Banner brand is emphasized by its unique, signature façade block.
“The four-inch-thick masonry veneer is made up of concrete masonry units in three different sizes and five colors, with two different textures,” explains Mark Patterson, AIA, ACHA, EDAC, LEED AP, a vice president with SmithGroup’s Phoenix office, who served as the project’s principal-in-charge. “The block changes character depending on the time of day, as the sun creates varying sheen and shadows, which produces unique patterning.”
Essentially, Banner Health’s design goal is to portray the medical center as the contemporary, high-quality, and technologically advanced healthcare delivery system that it is, reports Kip Edwards, vice president, development and construction, Banner Health, Phoenix.
The block element is then repeated in different locations, including signage and wayfinding kiosks throughout the facility.
Standardized design
With dozens of medical facilities throughout the western part of the country, Banner Health decided to standardize a prototypical design model several years back. The templates, developed by SmithGroup, establish standard design features and layouts.
“The templates are the foundation of our system. There is a lot of detail. The templates are very prescriptive, and we stick to them strictly. However, every time we apply them, we learn ways to improve them, so each new facility is better than the last,” Edwards states.
According to Patterson, the form is essentially a kit of parts, for example, a circulation element with components for diagnostic and treatment, and patient care units. At the same time, the template can accommodate multiple configurations.
