Location: Lawrence, Kansas
Year Completed: 2011
Size: 70,000 SF

The University of Kansas opened Watkins Memorial Health Center in 1971, as an inpatient hospital. Since the dedication, the facility has had only minor renovations. Over the past 40 years, the science and technology of healthcare have changed drastically, along with the way patients view their care and obtain information.

To better position Watkins Memorial Health Center for its current demands and future growth, the University of Kansas hired HMN Architects to conduct a study. Our partnership was formed to improve how the current and evolving health needs of the students are being met.

HMN is comprehensively analyzing the facility requirements for modern delivery of healthcare and the students’ preferences and desires for health services. As part of this study, HMN held an interactive student charrette to solicit input directly from the student body and gain insight into how the university can better provide those services both now and for the future.