Patient Support Complex
Christiana Care Health Services
Newark, DE

Winner 1998 Design Competition

The goal for the Patient Support Complex was to provide a new main entrance to accommodate the more than 500 patients and visitors per day.  The existing lobby was small, dark, and outdated with the two main elevator towers remote and invisible from the reception area.

The new atrium structure rises to encompass the second floor patient room windows, allowing natural light to fill the lobby space.  Clear travel paths and visible entry portals are created to highlight the elevator tower locations.  The monumental stair and glass back elevator rise to the second floor to take visitors to the balcony connecting the ICU pods and to the Family Waiting Suite.  Both are anchored in space by large, curvilinear planters incorporating a variety of foliage and a water element.  The planters provide  continuous bench seats which augment the two lounge seating areas  flanking the reception desk.  The reception desk itself, incorporates (5) staff positions, filing, literature and coat storage, fax, copier, and electronic wayfinding monitor.

The Glass Box Gift Shop overlooks the lobby offering upscale gifts.  Both the fixtures and cashwrap desk were custom designed to integrate with the architectural details of the wood framed stain glass vision panels, the reception desk and the balcony and stair rail.

Also included in the program is a Conference Center and shell space for a future restaurant and a second floor administrative suite.  With the completion of this dynamic project, visitors and patients will have a single point of entry which will take them to all inpatient and outpatient functions incorporated in the existing towers.