It’s official! The Children’s Mercy Hospital East Clinic in Independence, Mo is now open. The official ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Oct. 18 and the hospital itself opened shortly after. The new facility features specialty clinic services including: cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, neurology, orthopedics, rehabilitation medicine, sports medicine, audiology and speech, and ear, nose and throat care. The building is equipped with 20 exam rooms, two procedure rooms, one audio booth, an ultrasound, and a digital radiation room. Prior to the opening of this facility, these services were located 20 miles away at Children’s Mercy’s downtown location.

This facility is currently pursuing LEED Certification based on the implementation of several sustainable design principals. These include installation on a combination of vegetated roofing and high albedo roofing materials to reduce the “heat island” effect. Alternative transportation is encouraged by providing bicycle racks and an area for changing/showering, as well as priority parking for low emission vehicles and carpoolers. The materials selected for this project meet the requirements for regional material and recycled material credits. The landscaping design manages storm water run-off by filtration through natural vegetation bio-swales. Limited irrigation is provided, therefore xeriscaping is utilized though-out the site, including at the vegetated roof areas. Smoking is prohibited on the campus and low-emitting materials have been selected to promote improved indoor air quality. An educational component was included by placing cartoon characters and signage throughout the building that inform children of the opportunities they have to be good stewards of the environment.

Materials selected for use on the exterior were derived from the architectural vernacular of Children’s Mercy’s existing facilities, allowing the building to be readily identified by the public. Interior materials also follow the standards established by Children’s Mercy, being durable and in palettes that are fun and appropriate for children.

The design intent for the facility was to create a place for children to go when they are sick or hurt that does not resemble a typical clinical setting. Interactive lighting features controlled by a number of child-size push-button consoles, bright finishes and cartoon characters on the walls and floors, clearly denote that this is a space designed for children to utilize and enjoy today; while the sustainable components of the design attest to the care and concern for their well-being in the future.

Posted on December 4, 2012
Category: HMN Client News