Hutchings Psychiatric Center Rehabilitation

The 1960s campus originally served a much lower level of clinical acuity than now exists. The open campus with minimal internal security provided inadequate opportunities for more acute patients to self-direct movement, decreased their ability to effectively participate in therapeutic programming, and decreased their access to outdoor activities. A Master Plan was prepared to interconnect several inpatient buildings to provide indoor, interconnected, secure access to each inpatient building and encloses several secure yards. Phase 1 of the Master Plan involved the renovation of Building 7. architecture+ was selected to design Phase 2 ( Building 8) and Phase 3 (Building 1) of the Master Plan implementation.

The rehabilitation of Building 8 included the renovation of 35,000 square feet as well as 10,000 square feet of additions and created two 25-bed state-of-the-art inpatient psychiatric units that serve medically frail geriatric patients. This Phase also included some renovations to Building 15 to increase the inpatient access to activity space and to provide a “back door” for food service delivery to the new kitchen. A multi-phase construction solution was required so that inpatients, as well as some outpatient activity spaces, could be relocated to allow for the complex interconnecting of Building 8 with Building 15 and to accommodate on-going activities for all programs.

The rehabilitation of Building 1 also included the renovation of 35,000 square feet and 10,000 square feet of additions and created two 25-bed state-of-the-art inpatient psychiatric units that serve adult patients. This Phase also included some renovations to Building 15 to stabilize a new campus “main” entrance, create a new central security office, and to increase the inpatient access to activity spaces located in the now interconnected Buildings 8, 15, and 1 complex. Relocation of existing programs to allow for construction to commence and relocation of some inpatient and outpatient activity spaces to allow for the complex interconnecting of Building 1 with Buildings 15 and 8 also required a multi-phase construction solution.

All of the construction work of this project occurred on a campus with secure and non-secure spaces, heavy pedestrian traffic, and on-going programs for adults, children, and youth.

Although the project was on a limited budget and faced architectural restrictions, the thoughtful implementation of a calming array of interior finishes contributed to the project’s success and healing environment. Within the patient bedroom corridors, bright, saturated colors at bedroom entries are implemented in conjunction with floor finish patterns that help to express identity and a sense of ownership. An innovative secure metal ceiling system throughout these corridors contributes to the safe setting.

Inpatients now have secure, indoor access to all treatment and residential programs. The increase of secure, less restricted access encourages earlier and more consistent patient participation in therapeutic activities, enhancing prospects for recovery for all. Staff have a greater ability to supervise patients’ on-unit activities, while lessening need for staff escort for access to many off-unit activities. Finally, the creation of secure outdoor activity yards allows higher risk patients more ready access to outdoor activities.