The new Virginia Treatment Center for Children, part of the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, is one of the largest free-standing children’s mental health centers in the United States. The child-specific center uses design elements to both destigmatize behavioral and mental healthcare and support healing.
The facility was designed for both inpatient and outpatient care. There are 32 inpatient beds with the ability to expand to 48 beds to support expected volume. Each inpatient unit is self-contained and includes 16 beds; an activity zone with treatment, therapy, and recreational areas; a clinician zone; and direct access to secure courtyard and enclosed backyard outdoor activity areas.
The outpatient clinic includes group rooms, 20 consultation rooms, and integrated research space. The one-story in-patient building connects to the two-story outpatient and administrative building via a central “main street” spine. In addition to the outpatient clinic, the two-story building also includes patient reception, security, educational rooms, therapy spaces, a half-court gym, and a faith center.
Floor to ceiling windows allow as much natural light as possible in and the color palette is warm and bright. A therapy mall includes occupational, recreational, art, music, and play therapy. The nurses station can control music that is piped throughout the facility.
The major circulation systems run adjacent to outdoor landscaping and patient areas include large windows overlooking private garden space.The exterior of the building breaks away from a traditional “institutional” style and instead opts for terraced and undulating curved forms.
Related Stories
| Apr 20, 2012
McCarthy completes Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Replacement Facility
The new hospital’s architectural design combines traditional Santa Barbara Spanish colonial architecture with 21st century medical conveniences highlighted by a therapeutic and sustainable atmosphere.
| Apr 18, 2012
Perkins+Will designs new complex for Johns Hopkins Hosptial
The Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children’s Center and the Sheikh Zayed Tower create transformative patient-centric care.
| Apr 17, 2012
Alberici receives 2012 ASA General Contractor of the Year award
Alberici has been honored by the ASA eight times in the award’s nineteen-year history--more than any other general contractor in its class.
| Apr 16, 2012
Freeland promoted to vice president at Heery International
Recently named to Building Design+Construction’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2012.
| Apr 16, 2012
Batson-Cook breaks ground on senior living center in Brunswick, Ga.
Marks the third Benton House project constructed by Batson-Cook.
| Apr 4, 2012
HDS designs Mount Auburn Hospital’s new healthcare center in Waltham, Mass.
HDS Architecture provided design services for all the Mount Auburn Healthcare suites including coordination of HVAC and FP engineering.
| Apr 3, 2012
Suffolk completes phase one of Baystate Medical Center expansion
Construction management firm awarded emergency department project for successful build of $296 million MassMutual Wing and Davis Family Heart and Vascular Center.
| Mar 28, 2012
Holden Cancer Center opens at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
The new cancer clinic provides a significant increase in patient space from the prior facility, which was located in an adjacent building.
| Mar 28, 2012
Tsoi/Kobis & Associates developing master plan for UT Southwestern Medical Center
Firm will spearhead strategies for transforming existing in-patient hospital into state-of-the-art ambulatory care facility.
