UNIVERSITY OF OREGON / PORTLAND, OREGON / FALL 2019 STUDIO, IN PERSON
an integrated health center influenced by nature
an integrated health center influenced by nature
The Bio Buffer Health Center aims to provide an integrated care approach, coordinating mental health, substance use disorder, and primary care services, producing greater outcomes and effective solutions for caring for those with complex healthcare needs. Integrated healthcare leads to fewer nights spent homeless, fewer hospitalizations, fewer nights in detox, and fewer emergency room visits, inevitably lowering the cost of care and increasing quality of life. Incorporating biophilic implementations search to increase the effectiveness of these components along with three points in the quadruple aim in healthcare: improving the health of populations, enhancing the experience of care for individuals, and increasing staff engagement and retention. Located in the Buckman neighborhood of East Portland, no matter the crisis one may be going through or reason for visiting, this health center engages biophilia and natural elements as a buffer to ease patients, their families, and service providers, ensuring recovery and stability.
THE OVERALL IDEAS
Exterior Street View
The building acts as a buffer architecturally and socially through two main trends. Socially, the program of the space creates a sense of a “cushion” for the community through providing support systems, access to medical care, and community connections vital to survive. Architecturally, the building relies on vegetation to lessen the shock of the rigid materials and gradual geometry to smooth or almost polish the influence from the existing context.
The building acts as a buffer architecturally and socially through two main trends. Socially, the program of the space creates a sense of a “cushion” for the community through providing support systems, access to medical care, and community connections vital to survive. Architecturally, the building relies on vegetation to lessen the shock of the rigid materials and gradual geometry to smooth or almost polish the influence from the existing context.
The Guiding Principles
Throughout the spaces, biophilic implementations and office desires were included across various architectural and other design related choices. All of the spaces have access to a handful of these guiding principles, seeking a way to aid the care and attention given to patient and employee health.
Throughout the spaces, biophilic implementations and office desires were included across various architectural and other design related choices. All of the spaces have access to a handful of these guiding principles, seeking a way to aid the care and attention given to patient and employee health.
Massing - The Process
Analyzing the site, a set of parameters were established to provide access to the outdoors and nature through courtyards and the subtraction of chunks from the site conditions. The program is then designated across the void of a building with biophilic concepts delegating how all of the programmatic elements fit together.
Analyzing the site, a set of parameters were established to provide access to the outdoors and nature through courtyards and the subtraction of chunks from the site conditions. The program is then designated across the void of a building with biophilic concepts delegating how all of the programmatic elements fit together.
THE SITE
The Site
Situated on a very challenging lot, the Bio Buffer reacts and withholds itself to the site conditions through massing and programmatic creations. Cutting away at the geometry of the building creates voids to allow some breathing room for the existing surrounding buildings. Infilling the spaces carved away with greenery almost camouflages the newly constructed space to add a level of privacy for the health center’s users.
Situated on a very challenging lot, the Bio Buffer reacts and withholds itself to the site conditions through massing and programmatic creations. Cutting away at the geometry of the building creates voids to allow some breathing room for the existing surrounding buildings. Infilling the spaces carved away with greenery almost camouflages the newly constructed space to add a level of privacy for the health center’s users.
THE FLOOR PLANS & SPACES
1. RECEPTION
2. INDOOR WATER FEATURE
3. PHARMACY
4. STORAGE
5. BED BUG / LAUNDRY
6. SHOWER
7. MULTIPURPOSE
8. COURTYARD
9. EDUCATION
10. TRASH / ELECTRICAL
11. BIKE STORAGE
Ground Floor
The main entrance has a generous amount of space for those entering while going through a crisis with a specific and immediate reception area, easily identifiable. All the main amenities have connections to the outdoors through the courtyard or adjacent green space, providing positive biological responses for the users. A separate entrance on the eastern side of the building provides privacy for employees.
The main entrance has a generous amount of space for those entering while going through a crisis with a specific and immediate reception area, easily identifiable. All the main amenities have connections to the outdoors through the courtyard or adjacent green space, providing positive biological responses for the users. A separate entrance on the eastern side of the building provides privacy for employees.
Lobby Entrance (top), Courtyard (bottom)
The entrance contains a hanging vertical garden and reflecting pool in the main circulation lightwell, encouraging and encaptivating patients to use the stairs, while welcoming them in. Towards the back of the building, the courtyard provides a space for patients and employees to access natural elements outdoors, promoting eco-therapy and positive healing responses.
The entrance contains a hanging vertical garden and reflecting pool in the main circulation lightwell, encouraging and encaptivating patients to use the stairs, while welcoming them in. Towards the back of the building, the courtyard provides a space for patients and employees to access natural elements outdoors, promoting eco-therapy and positive healing responses.
1. WAITING
2. RECEPTION
3. MULTIPURPOSE
4. CONSULTATION WING
Second Floor
The second floor incorporates a formal reception and waiting room along with a multipurpose room for group therapy, small events, or other gatherings. The consultation wing is supported with views to the adjacent green space and ample hallways for family members or loved ones to wait if desired.
The second floor incorporates a formal reception and waiting room along with a multipurpose room for group therapy, small events, or other gatherings. The consultation wing is supported with views to the adjacent green space and ample hallways for family members or loved ones to wait if desired.
Consultation Wing Corridor (left), Consultation Room (right)
The corridor provides views to the outdoors and natural stimulation, administering calming moments for employees if they’re feeling stressed throughout the day or patients if they’re going through a crisis and heading to an appointment. The privacy of the consultation rooms allows for patients to have their own window, increasing positive psychological responses during sessions, improving patient health.
The corridor provides views to the outdoors and natural stimulation, administering calming moments for employees if they’re feeling stressed throughout the day or patients if they’re going through a crisis and heading to an appointment. The privacy of the consultation rooms allows for patients to have their own window, increasing positive psychological responses during sessions, improving patient health.
1. STAFF BREAK / LOUNGE
2. IT STORAGE / SUPPORT
3. ELEVATOR MACHINE ROOM
4. LABORATORY
5. OPEN OFFICE
6. DIRECTOR’S OFFICE
Third Floor
The third floor incorporates all staff related program, including a private open office, laboratory, and lounge / break room. The break room acts as a tertiary work space for employees and volunteers, giving them versatility in how they want to personally work throughout the day. All areas of work have views to the outdoors, vital for improving staff satisfaction in healthcare environments.
The third floor incorporates all staff related program, including a private open office, laboratory, and lounge / break room. The break room acts as a tertiary work space for employees and volunteers, giving them versatility in how they want to personally work throughout the day. All areas of work have views to the outdoors, vital for improving staff satisfaction in healthcare environments.
Open Office
The open office provides two different types of work environments, a formal desk space, and a more relaxed and casual space for meetings or comfortable individual work. Natural lighting and views to the exterior help improve work quality by providing necessary controlled distraction to reduce eye strain and fatigue.
The open office provides two different types of work environments, a formal desk space, and a more relaxed and casual space for meetings or comfortable individual work. Natural lighting and views to the exterior help improve work quality by providing necessary controlled distraction to reduce eye strain and fatigue.
THE FACADE
Facade Inspiration (left) & Built Model (right)
Arthropods are a source of inspiration for the Bio Buffer’s facade composition. The jagged and rigid elements were inspired by the exoskeleton these animals possess, while the vegetation scattered throughout changes as the seasons do. In order to keep growing, Arthropods must go through stages where the exoskeleton is shed, and a new one is revealed. These elements emphasize a symbol of growth and the idea of a “journey” to improving one’s health.
Arthropods are a source of inspiration for the Bio Buffer’s facade composition. The jagged and rigid elements were inspired by the exoskeleton these animals possess, while the vegetation scattered throughout changes as the seasons do. In order to keep growing, Arthropods must go through stages where the exoskeleton is shed, and a new one is revealed. These elements emphasize a symbol of growth and the idea of a “journey” to improving one’s health.