Healthcare Design - December 2020 - 43

REMODEL/RENOVATION COMPETITION

B R ONZE WINNE R

The University of Kansas Health System,
Strawberry Hill Behavioral Health Hospital
Kansas City, Kan.
S UBMITTED BY: C A N N O N D E S I G N ( B U F F A L O )

BE F ORE
DESIGN TEAM:

Behavioral Health
Hospital transformed a vacant facility into a
48-bed inpatient hospital for The University
of Kansas Health System (TUKHS) in Kansas
City, Kan. The project consolidated beds
from two outdated facilities while expanding
total bed count. The client made locating in
Wyandotte County a priority to stay close to
the communities it serves, and a former EPA
building was chosen for renovation.
One main objective was to be transparent
about the planning and design process while
breaking down stigma associated with mental
health facilities by engaging with residents,

THE STRAWBERRY HILL
B EFO R E

CannonDesign
(architecture,
interior design);
Olsson Associates
(civil engineering);
Bob D. Campbell &
Company (structural
engineering);
Henderson Engineers
(MEP engineering,
code consultants);
Robert Rippe &
Associates (food
services); Land3
Studio LLC (landscape
architecture)
COST PER SQUARE FOOT:

city and state officials for an open house, Q&A
sessions, and construction tours.
Another key objective was ensuring unit
flexibility so staff could deliver ideal care that
would be most beneficial to patients. By creating
three separate pods, or neighborhoods, within
a single 24-bed unit, the pods can operate as
one large unit or as two or three smaller units
by controlling a series of cross-corridor doors.
This provides the ability to separate populations
by gender, age, or diagnosis. At the start of the
coronavirus pandemic, the facility could isolate
patients who tested positive while providing the
same resources and services to all.
A final objective was increasing patient
satisfaction and improving outcomes. The
open atrium space posed a layout challenge but
provided great opportunity to bring in natural
light and plant life to group rooms and activity
spaces. An outdoor courtyard was added for
patient and staff access on the main level.

$305
PHOTOS:

Stephanie Vito (before
images); Laura Peters
(after images)
FIRM CONTACT:

(716) 773-6800
www.cannondesign.
com

JU RY CO MME NT S:
* Exceptional use of space. The inclusion of biophilic design is well proportioned to the design using both the vertical and
horizontal planes as their canvas. The design team took into consideration safety for the patients by allowing visual access to the
outdoors from within and while limiting physical access to the gardens to staff only.
* Repurposing an empty building (the former EPA building) is so important to the community from an economic point of view.
Empty buildings are a huge monetary drain and an eyesore. The project is very creative and will give patients and staff an
incredible new environment.
* The pod concepts of being able to open and close units depending on volumes makes sense. Great project!
* Beautiful transformation. Introduction of plants, trees, living walls and interior windows transforms a dull, dreary and cold space
into a beautiful rejuvenating, positive and light filled environment. Exemplifies a healing environment.
* The most impressive aspect of this project was the engagement of the community including city officials to educate them about
the benefits and safety features of a BH hospital.

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Healthcare Design - December 2020

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