FORM FOLLOWS PROGRAM - Healthcare renovation.
Sometimes the biggest of challenges come in the smallest of packages. The renovation and up-gradation of the 2500 sf Max Panscheel Lobby was one such challenge. The concerns with the existing space were many:
The facility had evolved organically through the 2000's. Addition of an Outpatient Pharmacy, a café, Lab storage at different points of time combined with the crowding that occurred with increased foot fall of patients, staff and support all added to the chaos of the space
As the facility grew inadequate seating posed additional difficulties.
The aesthetics and amenities of the space also needed an upgrade
Additionally, the challenges were that it is an operational hospital and had hard limitations on working hours, on the amount of modifications that could be made to the existing HVAC system and the turnaround time on the project.
To assess the sources and the depth of the chaos patient and public traffic flows were mapped onto the plans. Very quickly it became apparent the retail components of the space i.e. the Pharmacy and the Café which were located right at the entrance of the lobby created a significant bottle neck. The other choke point was the small entryway to the OPD Clinics.
The final design solution emerged from a series of options that aimed to consolidate the program elements that were scattered through out the space, along the edges, thus immediately opening up the central space. This was followed by arranging these elements to ensure a linear patient flow The highlights of the design solution were:
A visual connect to the registration from the entrance that orients patients to the first touch point within the facility.
The ancillary storage spaces were moved out of this prime real estate to the basement to make adequate room for the retail components like the Pharmacy.
The café remains an integral part of the lobby but located away from the main flow of traffic thus resulting in reducing crowding in the main lobby area. Relocating it has also allowed it to have a stronger presence with dedicated seating and queuing space.
The clean design of the space also added to the visual decluttering of the space.
Most of the spaces are treated uniformly barring the highlights on vertical surfaces with Max branding colours and highlight walls.
The registration desk is visually framed between the two existing columns that are treated to merge with the surrounding.
The ceiling above the seating is the only design element with a baffle ceiling and that has a restrained degree of intricacy associated with for two reasons – to provide a relief and interest to the space as well as to minimize the visual of a low ceiling within the space that could not be altered due to existing ceiling heights and the HVAC system.
Additional technological aids like token systems, self-registration and check in kiosks all helped in the decluttering the space.
The transformation in the quality of space is immense. The pictures of the space before and after renovation coupled with the feedback is proof that for healthcare design “form always follows the program”. We have found that most often the best design solution emerges by simply addressing the program and maximizing the efficiency of the operational flow through a facility.
TEAM : Darshpreet Sangha, Meghna Purkayastha
