Expanding a busy community hospital
adapt to the needs of its residents. Before the doors ever opened, careful thought was put into a phased growth plan, with anticipated strategies for expansion and structural capacity designed in for future overbuild.
After opening in 2014, West Shore rapidly met its growth projections and was soon at capacity. In 2018, our team began working with University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) to implement the next phase of construction. After several iterations, the design process landed on an addition that increased capacity in the emergency department (ED), radiology, and surgical services, created a new ten bed observation unit, and relocated and expanded the pharmacy. Located on a constrained site, the expansion had to be carefully calibrated and was implemented in multiple phases to maintain continuous operation of the ED and minimize disruption to a busy campus filled with acute and ambulatory facilities. To that end, the flow of the ED was temporarily flipped, and the main lobby subdivided to accommodate walk-in emergency cases while the eastern half of the site was demolished.
The new addition provides increased capacity for vital emergency and acute care services to serve the burgeoning suburban communities on the western shore of the Susquehanna River.
At a Glance
- Offices
- Client
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- UPMC West Shore
Megan Holmes, Vice President, Regional Business Leader, Buildings (US East)
Designing the best possible environment takes a team committed to a common goal.
Kristy Hollis, Principal, Architecture
Love what you do, and every day will be rewarding.
Kristina Klingbeil, Interior Designer
The positive impact healthcare design can have on patients, their families, and staff is what continues to motivate me.
Jessica McNamara, Associate, Interior Designer
I believe that the most essential aspect of design is its ability to inspire and empower.
Matt Eastman, Principal
As designers, there are few things as satisfying as the moment when the right solution reveals itself.
Chesenia Burgos, Associate, Interior Design
As a designer, I encourage all staff to voice questions and opinions. It reinforces understanding, while strengthening the overall team.
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Work with passionate people who are experts in their field. Our teams love what they do and are driven by how their work makes an impact on the communities they serve.