Environments for Aging - Fall 2017 - 41

the site. Extensive landscaping was added,
as well, including a covered patio and seating along a public walking trail on the site.
"Once you're on the campus and you're in
proximity to the water, it doesn't seem like
you're in the center of Dallas. It feels like a
retreat," Donaldson says.
Because the layout at the T. Boone Pickens center places all the inpatient rooms on
one side of the building, the opposite side
of the corridor became a natural location
for all back-of-house needs, including
clean and soiled linen storage, utility, and
medication rooms. Each floor has 12
patient units, divided into two wings of six
resident rooms and a nurses' station that's
designed to be close to patient spaces
but not intrusive, to maintain the residen-

ings and materials that provided comfort
and familiarity to the patients, families, and
caregivers, Faulkner says. For example, a
Texas limestone fireplace and natural walnut flooring in the lobby set the tone for a
nonclinical setting, while sunrooms on each
level provide a connection to nature and
add an abundance of natural light. A comfortable furniture grouping consisting of a
large sofa, lounge chairs, and accent tables
are designed to accommodate a large
family or a private reflection area. Additional
design nuances include a lantern with
an LED light outside each room, colored
ceiling elements over the patient room
doorways that provide a sense of entry
and help with wayfinding, and artwork of
local landmarks hanging in the hallways

tial feeling. The project team also created
a private path to elevators dedicated
to moving deceased patients out of the
building. "You try to keep [transport] from
crossing into mainstream traffic as much
as possible, but it's something that occurs
there," Donaldson says. "You want to allow the most respect and dignity you can."

and sunrooms.
In the patient rooms, medical equipment,
gas hookups, and outlets are concealed
behind a walnut headwall. To prevent staff
from unnecessary interruptions of residents' time with loved ones, each room
has a storage closet that staff can access
from the hallway to stock supplies such
as towels and linens.
Recognizing the toll that hospice care
can take on family members, the design
delivers elements in the patient rooms
tailored to ease the experience, including
ample seating, a computer desk, built-in
storage unit, and a sleeper couch. "The

Delivering the details

DAVID TONNES, PANAVIZ

The materials palette for the project
reinforces the residential feel of the site,
including limestone and siding on the
exterior. Inside, the design concept was to
keep the spaces smaller and use furnish-

in queen-sized beds) to be rolled out to
enjoy the view and fresh air.
The education center and future
bereavement services facility are in proximity to the hospice center, so separate
vehicular and pedestrian circulation
paths were added so that grieving family
members don't need to re-enter the
hospice building to access counseling or additional services. A labyrinth
and amphitheater were added between
the hospice building and the education
center to bring more separation while
providing additional opportunities to enjoy
Fall 2017 * EFAmagazine.com

41
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Environments for Aging - Fall 2017

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