CAPROCK URGENT CARE CLINIC

Background

Students were tasked with designing an urgent care center for a vacant plot in the city of Huntsville, TX which would respect the needs of patients, the surrounding environment, and, to a degree, necessary building systems. Intially, research was conducted to determine important factors to consider in the design process. The result was an evidence-based research paper which recognised wayfinding, natural light, and biophilia as the foremost design elements this project would consider.

Design

The care center’s non-orthogonal V-shaped floorplan makes for a distinctive silhouette, inspired by the irregular borders of its site. The main entrance is set back inside this shape to give incoming patients a sense of safety, with the building “embracing” them while they wait in the lobby(pictured right). Each of the eight general exam rooms have wall-to-wall windows which frame the surrounding trees and environment— a feature that addresses the psychological benefits of nature explored during research. Additionally, the windows are angled to recieve minimal direct sunlight, which both aids in HVAC efficiency and patient comfort. Circulation is kept simple, with all rooms branching off a shared spine which spans the length of the building. This decreases the chances of patients getting lost— a scenario which can cause stress in a setting that may already be mentally taxing. General patient-related rooms are kept close together on the east side for convenience, while more urgent areas such as the minor operation room and ambulance entrance are isolated on the west to reduce foot traffic and maintain privacy. Exterior materials consist of tan brick with stone cladding for accent— a combination chosen to highlight the intimate relationship between the building and its natural environment. On the inside, laminate wood flooring is used in spaces frequented by patients to further tie back to nature.

Background

In many new housing developments, individual units are divided in a manner that discourages communal use and reinforces strict property boundaries. At its most fundamental, this housing project aims to solve this issue and creates a neighborhood that fosters a sense of community among residents. This community draws on the ideas found in the Utzon House and El Pueblo Ribera community from the previous project to achieve this goal.

Design

The plot of this community consists of twelve separate living units which vary from 1-bed 1-bath up to 3-bed 3-bath. The strong linear foundation observed in the Utzon House is expressed here through a loose grid which establishes visual continuity among all units and their neighbors. Units are periodically punctuated by disruptions in their envelope, which serve to break up the monotony in their linear structure— a technique also seen in the Utzon House. Much like the homes of El Pueblo Ribera, this neighborhood draws from a limited set of low-rise unit plans, rotating and flipping them to create a sense of individuality. This approach keeps construction costs relatively low while allowing for a diversified residential experience.

On a more intimate scale, relationships between units become clearer. The sliding glass doors of each unit face towards a shared courtyard, framing it in a manner that makes each unit feel like part of a bigger space that encompasses every unit.Not only are houses connected by the shared contours of their design, but their circulation is even connected via the shared terrace that runs across the roof of units groups, which serves to encourage intermingling among residents and free up the roof of the buildings for social use. Through these features, these units form a functioning, lively community.

Background

Students were tasked with designing an urgent care center for a vacant plot in the city of Huntsville, TX which would respect the needs of patients, the surrounding environment, and, to a degree, necessary building systems. Intially, research was conducted to determine important factors to consider in the design process. The result was an evidence-based research paper which recognised wayfinding, natural light, and biophilia as the foremost design elements this project would consider.

Design

The care center’s non-orthogonal V-shaped floorplan makes for a distinctive silhouette, inspired by the irregular borders of its site. The main entrance is set back inside this shape to give incoming patients a sense of safety, with the building “embracing” them while they wait in the lobby(pictured right). Each of the eight general exam rooms have wall-to-wall windows which frame the surrounding trees and environment— a feature that addresses the psychological benefits of nature explored during research. Additionally, the windows are angled to recieve minimal direct sunlight, which both aids in HVAC efficiency and patient comfort. Circulation is kept simple, with all rooms branching off a shared spine which spans the length of the building. This decreases the chances of patients getting lost— a scenario which can cause stress in a setting that may already be mentally taxing. General patient-related rooms are kept close together on the east side for convenience, while more urgent areas such as the minor operation room and ambulance entrance are isolated on the west to reduce foot traffic and maintain privacy. Exterior materials consist of tan brick with stone cladding for accent— a combination chosen to highlight the intimate relationship between the building and its natural environment. On the inside, laminate wood flooring is used in spaces frequented by patients to further tie back to nature.