An interior space can be dramatic with bold lines and oversized graphics, or tranquil and soothing with a neutral color scheme, open space and natural light. And sometimes it’s both, as with the new Heart Center lobby for Cardiology Associates, a tenant of Springhill Medical Center in Mobile.
“The goal of this renovation was to create an exciting, updated entry space with strong visual appeal to represent the innovative, quality, and detail-oriented care that the Heart Center and its tenants provide,” says Principal Architect and Interior Designer Abby Davis of Walcott Adams Verneuille Architecture | Interiors in Fairhope.
“We amplified the volume of the double-height space to visually connect patients to the second floor. We achieved this with the design of several large-scale graphics that draw the eye upward. The graphics are all visually similar and somewhat abstract.”
The striking graphics can be interpreted as tree branches, waterways, or roadways, says Davis but the viewer could also see arteries and veins – specifically heart arteries, which are the main focus of the Heart Center.
“We kept the materials and color palette neutral and timeless to allow the graphics to stand out and to represent long lasting quality. The palette is a mix of cool and warm greys, so we chose to warm up the space by incorporating wood panels that worked with the new stain on the grand stair. These wood elements ground the space while letting the graphics soar. The use of metal trim details gives the finished look a contemporary feel along with frameless glass entry doors, glass railings, and sleek glass signage.”
Both Cardiology Associates and Springhill Medical Center wanted the Heart Center’s front door, lobby and common spaces to look welcoming, polished and distinctive, so WAV updated the building’s aesthetic and redesigned public space which hadn’t been updated in 20 years.
Walcott Adams Verneuille (WAV) renovated the first and second floors of the Heart Center to increase its footprint from 21,000 to 35,000 square feet. Because the hospital and Cardiology Associates remained fully operating, the project was completed in eight separate phases. WAV provided the architectural design and all interior design, including the selection of furniture, artwork signage and graphics.
Visitors are greeted with large-scale murals that bring the view upward to capture the details of the two-story lobby. Tile, glass railings and wood paneling accented with graphic signage and wayfinding create a modern hospital and corporate lobby aesthetic.
Cardiology Associates wanted a warm, inviting and corporate presence for their patients, clients and staff. Patients enter through frameless glass doors and are greeted at the reception area framed with rich wood paneling and elegant, tone-on-tone wall covering.
The reception area is anchored by a strong tile accent wall behind the quartz desk. Signage enhances this focal point along with contemporary brass lighting and circular architectural trim detail on the ceiling. WAV notes that the “serene, updated space is meant to instill confidence in patients and also hint at the innovation and exciting work that is taking place beyond the lobby.”
Patients enter through frameless glass doors and are greeted at a reception area that is framed with rich wood paneling and tone-on-tone wall covering. The reception space is anchored by a strong tile accent wall behind a quartz desk.
Visitors are greeted with large scale vein murals that pull the visitor’s eyes up to capture the details of the two-story lobby. Tile, glass railings and wood paneling accented with graphic signage and wayfinding create both the modern hospital and corporate lobby aesthetic.
Walcott Adams Verneuille renovated the first and second floors of the Heart Center, which, along with the lobby, included new clinical space, housing an imaging suite and new corporate offices for Cardiology Associates, and new cardiac rehabilitation space for Springhill Medical Center.
Walcott Adams Verneuille amplified the volume of the double height space to visually connect patients to the second floor. This was achieved with the design of several large-scale graphics that draw the eye upward.
*Article Written by Jessica Armstrong and Images courtesy of Walcott Adams Verneuille Architecture | Interiors