David Wakely

Blighted Los Angeles hospital rebuilt after challenging history

New Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital rebranded with humane and welcoming design


Los Angeles' Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center was regarded as the worst in the city, according to an article on the Contract magazine website. Seven years and $280 million later, it was reborn as the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital (MLKCH).

“We needed to rebrand the institution, so we asked the architects to create a hospital that could just as easily be in Beverly Hills, and would match the best in the county,” said Andy Moey, capital projects program manager for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.

With transparent facades and naturally lit public spaces, MLKCH is a model of humane and welcoming design, the article said. Bold signage, in both English and Spanish, assists in wayfinding, and natural light in corridors helps to reduce the institutional feel. 

Thermally efficient glazing and abundant natural light, recycled and renewable materials, highly efficient mechanical systems, and low-flow plumbing fixtures contribute to a high level of sustainability, according to the article. 

Read the article.

 

 



October 30, 2014


Topic Area: Architecture


Recent Posts

Cyberattack Results in Patient Reroutes at Anne Arundel Medical Center

A recent cyberattack on Luminis Health Care led to care disruptions and treatment cancelations at Maryland hospital.


Tangram Furnishes Be Well OC Irvine Behavioral Health Campus

Case study: Through a public-private partnership, Be Well OC’s 22-acre Irvine campus expands Orange County’s continuum of behavioral healthcare.


Suntree Internal Medicine Reports Data Breach

Suntree Internal Medicine has no evidence of misuse, or attempted misuse, of any potentially affected information.


Why Healthcare Facilities Management Is Critical to Patient Safety 

Hospitals and other healthcare facilities rely on much more than doctors and nurses to keep patients safe.


Sanford Health and North Memorial Health Finalize Partnership

An integration process is underway to create a unified organization.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.