Lizard Rock Designs worked closely with La Posada’s staff on the design of an expansion and renovations to their health care center. La Posada’s goal was to transform their existing building from a nursing home to a social model of care, with medical support spaces kept “backstage.” The design calls for three separate wings which were articulated into distinct neighborhoods, each with satellite nurses’ charting areas configured as small receptionist desks. Common spaces provide a sense of home and hearth, lessening the “institutional” feel.

The motivation behind this project was resident-driven: residents on the existing campus were reluctant to go to the health care center even for short periods of time. Most of the rooms were semi-private, which led to a lack of privacy and dignity. The environment was noisy, confusing and anxiety producing, and the quality of care suffered as staff struggled to adapt a new model of service to an aging and outmoded plan. LRD worked extensively with La Posada staff and residents to establish a list of priorities which included larger private rooms, private baths with showers, and more residential feeling common spaces. The overall goal was to make the health center environment indistinguishable from other buildings on the campus.