Mercyhealth embarked on an ambitious renovation and expansion plan for their entire healthcare system, commissioning Saiki Design to work on a number of significant hospital and clinic projects including the renovation and entry enhancements at the Walworth Hospital and Medical Center. The renovation included architectural elements which were extended from the building’s facade out into the landscape.
The primary entry sequence consists of a drop-off circle which was enhanced by new plantings and the addition of flag poles. The project also included the design and implementation of a detailed healing garden adjacent to the main entry. Visitors move along the garden space as they make their way to and from the building and it serves as a front door for the building itself. The healing garden contains a series of water features, a bridge, plantings, a pergola and paver patios. This rich design provides a place for patients, visitors and staff to take a break from the everyday challenges of healthcare settings.
With more than 100 linear feet of water features, a wooden bridge with stainless steel hardware and a wooden pergola with stone veneer columns, the project challenged the design team to develop complicated details at a fast pace. A variety of colors and textures help to define individual spaces within the gardens and plantings, which were chosen specifically for their ability to provide screening and seasonally-changing displays of color and texture appropriate for healthcare settings.
