Hospitality within healthcare spaces: Crystal Clinic Orthopedic Center

Imagine walking into the hospital and being greeted with greenery, views, and natural light pouring in through large windows and open spaces that promote calm and serenity. These favorable conditions play an important role in shaping the patients’ experience, making their days a little easier while promoting recovery. In fact, good healthcare design has been shown to reduce patient stays, infection rates, medical and medication errors, as well as improve employee engagement and performance. A well-designed facility can ultimately transition patients from a sterile clinical environment to one that is warm, inviting, and even uplifting. Such is the case for the Crystal Clinic Orthopedic Center by HGA Architects, which was selected among the five winners of the 2022 Shaw Contract Design Awards ‘Best of Globe’ for its innovative approach to healthcare.

Design elements that elevate the interior experience

Located in Akron, USA, the project is a new specialty hospital – one of the only hospitals in the world dedicated to orthopedic and plastic/reconstructive surgery. The 165,000-square-foot building has three levels that include 12 operating theaters, 60 private rooms, and an outpatient component for accelerated care. Fusing aesthetics, comfort, and functionality, the hospital features a series of design elements that elevate the interior experience, while recognizing their ability to impact patients’ lives.

One of the unique architectural features of the project is the inner courtyard on the third floor, where the patients’ rooms are located. As the architects explain, it provides outside views for every room and “maintains an efficient footprint and clear circulation for patients, family, and staff.” The exterior also highlights a series of circulation paths that have been strategically carved into the building to provide covered experiences for patients and family members as they approach and leave, enhancing a sense of security and closeness.

Another key element of the design is the double-height space above the dining area, creating an open and airy feel while providing a connection to the surgical waiting area. Along with eye-catching details such as dramatic pendants hanging from the ceiling—plus access to natural light and views—the space has been elevated to create a healthy, functional, and aesthetically pleasing environment that seeks to prioritize luxury. These are exactly some of the qualities that caught the judges’ attention:

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The layout is ingenious in the way daylight is used throughout the hospital. Scientific data convey that views of nature and light influence the healing process in a positive way. The patient room makes masterful use of materials appropriate to the healthcare setting. General consideration for the comfort of patients, families, and staff translates to the community of this institution. – Karen S. Miller, Head of Interior Design, Director of Design, NCIDQ at Gulf Consult

Design a hospital that looks like a hotel

With all these distinct spatial features, the design team was able to fulfill the client’s main desire: “To provide patients with a hospital that does not look or feel like a hospital, but rather a hotel.” So inspiration was mainly drawn from hospitality environments rather than healthcare projects. In this way, as Marchese Partners juror and principal Rola Asmar suggests, “this project moves away from the clinical aspect and focuses on comfort and recovery for the occupants.”

Many unique products and finishes have been used throughout the building to serve this purpose – of course, all while maintaining a level of infection control to ensure patient safety. This includes the use of Honest and Shelter carpet tiles in Espresso and Greige colors. Both add warmth and comfort in different ways; While the former is reminiscent of a graceful woven fabric, the latter is more like the stretchy fabric of a sweater. The space also features rich, saturated colors, gold accents within the lighting and finish finishes, brushable pastel and jewel-toned velvet upholstery, and an assortment of leather. Divided panels and glass fixtures provide varying textures and privacy, adding to this dynamic material palette. In addition, the hospital showcases local artist collaborations in both public and patient areas to encourage community engagement and participation.

Of all buildings, hospitals and health care facilities must be those built with the greatest care and imagination. Crystal Clinic Orthopedic Center embraces this mission through a series of forward-thinking architectural measures aimed at helping people recover faster and elevating healthcare design.

A celebration of design and its ability to impact our everyday lives, the Shaw Contract Design Awards aim to recognize spaces that inspire new, sustainable ways of living, working and learning. After evaluating each project’s methods and contributions to the built environment, the five winners were chosen by panels of design professionals from around the world.

For more information on this year’s “Best of Globe” winners, visit Shaw Contract Design Awards a program.