Redefining Wellness Through Design
For over five decades, UMC Health System has delivered the majority of its inpatient and outpatient services from a central campus shared with the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center. This single-site approach has long served a vast, multi-state region, but over time the growing demand began to stretch its limits. Architecture firm HDR Inc. worked closely with UMC to design a new Health and Wellness Community Hospital – a contemporary facility designed to strengthen UMC’s existing capabilities while extending its reach to underserved populations.
The facility emphasizes wellness and community integration, featuring a distinctive two-tower layout joined by a central lobby that opens to a tranquil garden courtyard. One tower is dedicated to clinical care, while the other houses a publicly accessible fitness and rehabilitation center. YKK AP’s YCW 750 XT curtain wall, YCW 750 SSG curtain wall, and YCW 750 OG curtain wall were specified to help achieve the project’s goals of energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
The new facility now offers many outpatient services, such as radiology, same-day surgery, and infusion therapies, away from the main campus, freeing it to concentrate on critical acute care. This combination of medical treatment with health-focused community resources reflects a growing trend in healthcare: prioritizing illness prevention through holistic wellness services.
Notable Design Highlights:
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Dynamic glazing that adjusts to sunlight for comfort and energy efficiency
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Drive-up pharmacy kiosk to simplify prescription pickup
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Multiple access points including dual road entry and a full internal loop
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Flexible infrastructure to support future growth
