UC Davis Health recently marked the opening of the new Ernest E. Tschannen Eye Institute Building and the expansion of the Ambulatory Care Center (ACC). Located in Sacramento, Calif., the eye center provides eye care, vision research, and training for specialists and investigators. With the new building, the eye center’s vision scientists can increase capacity for clinical trials by 50%.
Designed by HGA in partnership with San Francisco design firm TEF, the state-of-the-art facility consolidates UC Davis Health Eye Center’s optometry and ophthalmology patient care, clinical research and training, and departmental offices all under one roof. The facility integrates a partial renovation of the existing ACC with a new addition, resulting in a 78,500-sf building.
The biophilic design provides filtered daylighting, critical for sight-impaired patients, as well as patterns and views that connect patients with nature. The building also features nature-toned exterior materials at the base, with a folding clear glass curtain wall above.
With a focus on patients, the design includes wayfinding elements that help reduce patient anxiety and improve health outcomes. All clinic waiting and reception areas are located off of a unified circulation spine that runs the length of the building, which helps with wayfinding. The circulation spine also runs parallel to the exterior landscaped promenade, promoting access to nature.
Other patient-centered components include high-contrast colors and textures throughout the building to improve wayfinding, as well as common spaces with home-like furnishings to comfort patients. Amenities include an optical shop, outdoor terrace, and exterior promenade connected to the parking structure with artwork, wall seating, and lighting.
On the Building Team:
Owner: UC Davis Health
Design architect: HGA, in partnership with TEF
Architect of record: HGA
MEP engineer: Guttmann & Blaevoet
Structural engineer: Buehler Engineering Inc.
General contractor: McCarthy Building Companies
Construction management services: Vanir
Civil engineering: Siegfried Engineering
Landscape architecture: Quadriga
Acoustics consulting: The Acoustics and Vibration Group, Inc.
Related Stories
Cladding and Facade Systems | Oct 26, 2021
14 projects recognized by DOE for high-performance building envelope design
The inaugural class of DOE’s Better Buildings Building Envelope Campaign includes a medical office building that uses hybrid vacuum-insulated glass and a net-zero concrete-and-timber community center.
Healthcare Facilities | Oct 22, 2021
The VA is updating what once was the main hospital on a Florida medical campus
The renovated Building One will provide outpatient services.
Healthcare Facilities | Oct 21, 2021
UW Medical Center starts construction on Behavioral Health Teaching Facility
Will add much-needed patient bed capacity for Seattle.
Healthcare Facilities | Oct 20, 2021
Ware Malcomb completes Princeton Longevity Center at 1 World Trade Center
The project is located on the 71st floor.
Healthcare Facilities | Oct 6, 2021
Orléans Health Hub is Ottawa’s newest healthcare facility
HDR designed the project.
Healthcare Facilities | Oct 4, 2021
Saltzer Health Ten Mile Medical Campus completes in Meridian, Idaho
Cushing Terrell designed the project.
Healthcare Facilities | Sep 20, 2021
Wellness is now part of more colleges’ health services
New center at the University of Virginia unifies major health departments.
Giants 400 | Aug 30, 2021
2021 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S.
The 2021 Giants 400 Report includes more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Giants 400 | Aug 27, 2021
2021 Healthcare Sector Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. healthcare facilities sector
HDR, AECOM, Turner Construction, and Brasfield & Gorrie head BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest healthcare facilities sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2021 Giants 400 Report.
Healthcare Facilities | Aug 24, 2021
Center for Children’s Integrated Services breaks ground in Flint
HED is designing the project.
