Rusk State Hospital

Texas Health & Human Services Commission|Rusk, TX

The Rusk State Hospital, a 227,400 square-foot, three-story facility located in rural East Texas, is a state-of-the-art forensic psychiatric hospital built to provide care for individuals with severe mental illness who have had encounters with the justice system. The design of the hospital centers on creating a restorative environment that promotes safety and rehabilitation, offering a stark contrast to the outdated and inadequate existing facilities.

Project Type:
Mental Health

Cost:
$202 million

Size:
227,400

Safety + Comfort

The hospital’s design prioritizes both safety and comfort. Since half of the population requires maximum-security settings, the hospital incorporates durable finishes and furnishings to endure high levels of wear and tear. Thoughtful space planning eliminates hiding spots and unnecessary corners, enhancing security while creating an easily navigable environment for individuals with cognitive impairments. The hospital ensures clear sightlines for staff and provides a secure environment without compromising patient comfort.

The layout of Rusk State Hospital is efficient and symmetrical, featuring pairs of 25-bed inpatient units that share support services and communal therapeutic spaces. These units are centered around a hub that offers a variety of recreational and therapeutic activities. This central space is designed for diverse recovery needs, including private areas for introspection, group settings for collaboration, and zones for
relaxation and enjoyment.

The interior design incorporates color palettes and imagery that reflect the natural landscapes of Texas, creating a familiar and comforting atmosphere. The central hub is dominated by a vibrant purple, inspired by the wisteria plant found on the campus while each inpatient unit has its own distinct identity named after native Texas trees - Pecan, Loblolly Pine, Magnolia, and Live Oak. Each native tree theme carries its own variation on the color palette, using deep plum and soft aquamarine to provide visual
accents. Wood finishes and creative lighting solutions further contribute to the non-institutional, welcoming environment, offering patients a comfortable and uplifting setting for their recovery process.