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

Where Workforce Strategy Meets Facility Design

Designing healthcare facilities with the same rigor applied to clinical programming creates environments where clinicians want to stay.


OCAD Student Research Inspires Dementia Friendly Shower Redesign at UHN Hospital

The space responds to a common challenge in care environments, where showering can be disorienting and stressful due to unfamiliar surroundings, noise and limited privacy.


Atrium Health Navicent Ensnared in Oracle Health Data Breach

Currently, this incident did not involve access to credit card information or bank account information.


Two Steps to Controlling the Hot Zone

Strategy for disrupting dry-surface biofilm begins with a simple premise: You cannot disinfect what you cannot reach.


RiverSpring Living Breaks Ground on River's Edge Senior Living Community

Occupancy is expected in December 2028.


 
 


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.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.