UC Riverside’s student health center provides an environment on par with major medical centers
By Novid Parsi, Contributing Editor
The University of California, Riverside's new Student Health and Counseling Center (SHCC) provides a holistic approach to wellness for students throughout the UC Riverside campus.
Designed by HGA and delivered through a design-build partnership with Turner Construction Company, SHCC provides healthcare offerings in an environment on par with major medical centers.
Within walking distance of the university’s residence halls, the 39,450-sf center provides services in a single location to create a seamless wellness experience. In addition to health services, SHCC offers counseling and psychological services, case management services, and a crisis-response team. The center also helps students with essential needs and provides for students with food insecurity issues.
Medical, mental health, and wellbeing services are integrated throughout the two-story structure. SHCC includes a primary care clinic, women’s health services, laboratory services, a pharmacy, counseling offices, and a conference center. The lab services are directly adjacent to the clinics, improving communication among clinicians and lab staff and ensuring patients can provide specimen collection during their appointments.
SHCC has 25 exam rooms, more than double the number of exam rooms in the former health center. As a result of the increased space for medical services, students enjoy more appointment availability for more efficient treatment.
Biophilic design elements include large windows that offer views of the mountains and the outdoor wellness court, a custom wood art wall design in the main lobby reception area, and wood ceilings in the counseling center. Blue, yellow, and green pastel colors decorate the first and second floor lobbies.
The building’s multiple entrances provide enhanced accessibility for students, staff, and visitors, whether they’re driving or walking to the center. One entry allows for discreet ambulance access for students needing transport to a local hospital.
On the Building Team:
Architect: HGA
Landscape architect: MIG
Structural and civil engineers: KPFF
Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineer: HGA
Acoustical engineer: Antonio Acoustics
General contractor: Turner Construction Company