Seattle Children’s Bellevue Clinic / NBBJ

To better serve an ever-expanding network of patients, Seattle Children’s Hospital set out to build a new campus in Bellevue, Washington. The resulting building, designed by Seattle-based NBBJ, successfully serves several constituencies simultaneously. The highly efficient building is the winner of a 2010 Honor Award from AIA Seattle. More information and images after the break.

Architect: NBBJ
Location: Bellevue, Washington, USA
Consultants: Sellen Construction, PCS Structural Solutions, Affiliated Engineers, Inc., Cierra Lighting Group, Site Workshop
Project Area: 80,000 sf
Project Year: 2010
Photographs: Benjamin Benschnieder, Sean Airhart

Working closely with the client and future staff, NBBJ placed great precedence on the building’s overall effectiveness towards alleviating patient anxiety. This was achieved through the use of plentiful skylights, views of the multiple rooftop gardens, limiting exposure to intimidating medical equipment, and installing artwork that appeals to all ages. Color is used throughout the project to strategically identify zones and activate interior spaces. The use of natural light works in concert with all these features to provide uplifting spaces which reduce stress and encourage overall wellness.

And while the facility is certainly uplifting for it’s patients and caregivers, the building truly excels in everyday efficiency. NBBJ collaborated with staff members to gain valuable insight concerning intra-campus travel times, line of sight, operational flow and room layouts. Additionally, the clinic uses Continuous Performance Improvement (CPI) and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) methods to program more service in less space and build it more effectively, eliminating 30,000 square feet and $30 million from initial project estimates. Through these conscientious efforts at increasing room efficiency and minimizing travel distances, the design team achieved a 27% space savings, fitting 110,000sf of program into 80,000sf.

Finally, the project excels in it’s adoption of sustainable construction and maintenance practices. The building features optimized HVAC systems, lighting controls and sun shading devices, all of which have helped the project to achieve LEED Gold certification.