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April 01, 2008

Summit Tri-star Digestive Wellness Center Design By Westlake Reed Leskosky

NORTON, OHIO (April 2008) – The new $3 million Summit Tri-Star Digestive Wellness Center creates a serene and calming healthcare environment for an outpatient endoscopy center and gastroenterology offices of three private practitioners in Norton, Ohio. Through a sophisticated simplicity of forms, materials, and natural light, a straightforward medical office building is endowed with a gracious and understated elegance.

Designed by national healthcare specialists Westlake Reed Leskosky of Cleveland, Ohio, the 11,700 square foot free standing, combination outpatient office center exemplifies the forward-thinking, successful medical practice of its owners. Supporting the needs of its physicians, the program is organized into two areas: endoscopy outpatient facilities including two procedure rooms and nine patient bays, and general medical office space including seven examination rooms and two special procedure rooms, linked by centralized support offices for staff. Each of the spaces has its own waiting room and separate entrance, and each side is designed to accommodate future expansion. The project was completed in November 2008.

Philip LiBassi, AIA, ACHA, principal of Westlake Reed Leskosky, states, "The Summit Tri-Star Digestive Wellness Center demonstrates that even a small medical office building can be 'big' in design quality. Many medical office buildings are typical of strip-malls or colonial buildings. We were intrigued by physicians who shared our interest in creating a high level of refinement through a modern, aesthetic approach to design." Recently nationally recognized among Healthcare Design's Top 20 Making a Difference, LiBassi leads the firm's integrated healthcare design specialty.
With offices in Cleveland, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C., Westlake Reed Leskosky was selected for the project based on a portfolio of contemporary healthcare architecture that includes work for such clients as the Cleveland Clinic, Veteran's Administration, and Banner Health.

The Digestive Wellness Center is located on a 2.6-acre site on a busy thoroughfare in the midst of a neighborhood that is undergoing a transition from residential to commercial use. The strategy of implementing a tranquil environment conducive to healing and emotional well being was initiated through the use of understated, elegant and visually legible forms that stand in quiet contrast to the visual clutter of the surrounding context. The building is carefully woven into new and equally elemental landscaping.

Ronald A. Reed, FAIA, IIDA, principal and a lead designer of Westlake Reed Leskosky, notes, "Through minimal forms and a neutral palette of materials, the architecture is elegant and serene yet warm and welcoming. The assembly gains memorable presence from a few easily readable gestures. On the street elevation, a knoll of ornamental grasses leads up to a backlit glass band that acts as a linear beacon. This glazing also allows soft, filtered light to enter patient areas, creating a calm and soothing ambience."

Visitors are intuitively directed to a heroically scaled canopy and main entry. Reception and waiting areas are housed in a glass pavilion, revealing the activities within. These devices provide an introduction to the internal spaces and introduce the cues to a wayfinding strategy that is achieved through the straightforward planning of circulation systems and functional zones, and underscored by the use of natural light.

From the vehicular drop-off, patients enter a vestibule that provides two discreet entries, one to the Outpatient Endoscopy Center and one to the Doctors' Offices. Patient parking is conveniently located behind the building with a direct path to the entrance. Service and employee access points are likewise conveniently and discreetly located, separating and screening non-patient related functions.

Opened in April 2008, the Outpatient Endoscopy Center includes two procedure rooms, and nine pre- and post- procedure patient holding bays along with related support areas including scope processing, nurse's station, and other supporting functions. A discharge vestibule is conveniently located adjacent to the main entry and within the protection of the overhead canopy. Completed in November 2007, the Doctors' Offices include seven exam rooms, two procedure rooms, as well as related support. Employee and physician amenities include administrative functions, a staff lounge, and physician work areas. Interior spaces, such as exam rooms, patient holding bays, staff amenities, and waiting areas are all designed with strategically placed expanses of clear and translucent glass, balancing the need for natural light and views with patient privacy.

To enhance the tranquil nature of the building and grounds, the palette of materials, both exterior and interior, is subdued and monochromatic. This approach produces an environment that responds to the ever-changing nature of light common to northeast Ohio. The result renders all parts of the building in a constant but subtle state of change, keeping the building fresh through chromatic reinvention. Color, where it is used internally, finds inspiration in the natural environment, and echoes the landscaping, creating a cohesive environment.

Westlake Reed Leskosky (www.WRLDesign.com) provided integrated and comprehensive architecture, interior design, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural engineering services. Zumpano and Hanson Development, Akron, Ohio (www.ZHDevelopment.com) served as developer/construction manager for the project. Owner's business operations consultant is Ortmann Healthcare Consultants, LTD, Columbia, South Carolina. Landscape architect is Sunset Gardens, Peninsula, Ohio. Site/civil engineer is Spagnuolo & Associates, Fairlawn, Ohio.