Title: Children’s Kennedy Outpatient Center
Location of Proejct: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Project Completion Date: 2019
Firm Name: HKS

Short Description: Children’s Kennedy Outpatient Center is the first part of a larger master plan for Erlanger Health System to increase their healthcare services and transform their 3rd Street campus into a Wellness and Innovation District. The building was designed holistically, through the eyes of the patient and the integration of the landscape, exterior and interior design embodying nature and biophilic connections throughout the patient’s journey. The design takes cues from special places in Chattanooga such as the overlook mountain that are familiar to the visitor giving them a sense of wonder and comfort throughout their visit.

Architect's Statement: PURPOSE:

The purpose of this project is to create a dedicated children’s hospital complex by first decanting individual pediatric outpatient clinics from within a hospital into a new pediatric outpatient center as a phase I of the Erlanger Masterplan. The specialty clinic modules are designed to optimize flexibility and efficiency while enhancing the patient experience. Each twelve-exam module is organized with perimeter exam rooms surrounding a shared work-core. This design creates a calmer patient experience by fully separating the offstage support zone from the on-stage patient environment.

Children’s Kennedy Outpatient Center is the first part of a larger master plan for Erlanger Health System to not only increase their healthcare services for the community but also begin a transformative mixed-use environment along six city blocks of 3rd street. This project will be a catalyst for the next 20 years as Erlanger positions itself to develop a new centers of excellence tower for women and children and then eventually a children’s hospital connecting this gateway building to their main campus.

DESIGN INTENT:

Our design of Children’s started and ended with thinking of our patients and how each decision we made realized the potential for health and wellness. The way we designed and thought through the strategic journey for our patients as well as the way the exterior, landscape and interior design is envisioned holistically all respond to creating a health and wellness environment for the Chattanooga community.
The design takes cues from special places in Chattanooga that are familiar so that patients can relate to creating a sense of familiarity instead of the uncertain.
The form and exterior articulation evoke a direct relationship to the overlook mountain Chattanoogians are so very fond of. Embodying nature, biophilic connections and the vast wonder of natural formations, our building design is rooted in place and gives our patients a sense of comfort as they see a symbol of inspiration and wonder.
The drop off canopy is designed to resemble one of the most prominent bridges in Chattanooga and covers one of the first truly unique elements of the project. An actual locomotive and caboose donated by the children’s museum of Chattanooga! It’s a symbol of a strategy of distraction and joyous enlightenment as throughout the patients journey they will encounter all forms of fun transportation relics.

THE CAMPUS PHASING:

The campus is strategically phased over the course of several years. We initially begin with the children’s ambulatory care center on an existing parking lot. Once the ACC is built, we can then renovate and re-skin the Massoud building into the regional stroke center. From there we begin setting up for the new children’s hospital by relocating several existing services from the East tower and building a new NICU and women’s expansion. Once complete, it paves the way for the new children’s hospital that will connect to the NICU by bridge. At that point we can set up to remove the West tower from the corner and expand their beds. Lastly - we have set up several opportunities’ future expansion and the mixed-use development along 3rd and Central.

SITE DESCRIPTION:
Children’s strategic location along 3rd street and Palmetto signifies a gateway element for the street’s revitalization as well as a symbol for Erlanger’s commitment to expanding healthcare services for Chattanooga and the region beyond. 3rd street will take on a transformation from a vehicular heavy approach to a pedestrian and public realm point of view.
Our project starts this 3rd street transformation by providing a bike lane and decreasing the vehicular lanes. We designed our ground floor in a way that supports this bigger vision for enriching public realm with transparency of facade as well as a retail program along 3rd street. Our retail program extends outside as we designed a plaza for seating that supports our users as well as the community. Lastly, we incorporated an integrated landscape and oversized sidewalk along 3rd street to further emphasize green space, interaction, and the pedestrian.

COMMUNITY:
There are several characteristics that make this building truly unique and special: the pointed façade, the antique train, the bridge like canopy. The pointed façade is a direct reflection of the iconic Chattanooga Lookout Mountain skyline. The antique train is a donation to the hospital, reminiscent of the rich Tennessee railroad history. The blue canopy is an interpretation of Chattanooga’s best-known bridge – the blue Walnut Street Bridge. The borrowing of elements from some of the most recognizable sites in Chattanooga translates into a nod to the surrounding communities. Children’s facilitates the idea of “feeling at home”, allowing its visitors to feel comfortable. This concept, along with interactive spaces and a well-landscaped site make Children’s more than just a place for healing. Children’s can become a community center.