A Walk in the Park

Washington Department of Social & Health Services|Lakewood, WA

In 2018, Washington State embarked on a major shift in managing the future of mental health. Like other states, Washington embraced implementing a care model to treat civilly committed citizens in non-institutional, community-based settings, a departure from incarceration with its limited treatment opportunities. Under this strategy, the State initiated the creation of a new 350-bed Forensic Center for Excellence to provide a modernized facility with exemplary care in an innovative and secure, evidence-based, therapeutic setting. The State quickly engaged a team involving architecture+ to generate a Master Plan and subsequent pre-design concept for the new Western State Hospital, now in the final stages of design. The hospital’s program will offer competency restoration for Washington citizens struggling with mental illness, substance use, and involvement with the justice system.

Project Type:
Mental Health
Planning

Cost:
$655 million

Size:
467,570 sf

Healing Journey

The design concept, A Walk in the Park, establishes Houses (inpatient living units) which are connected to therapeutic Neighborhoods by way of elevated bridges. Patients are able to journey above treed courtyards, connect with nature, and create a comforting daily routine while taking advantage of the amenities in a centralized Downtown zone, adjacent to a series of secure courtyards. Through careful design and planning, this facility will offer a calming and healing environment that facilitates recovery.
Research activities will be integrated as well as consistent engagement of the medical education community to further promote recovery understanding and treatment. This Forensic Center of Excellence is expected to become the workplace of choice for mental health care professionals and aid in increasing hospital staff retention. As required for all state-owned projects, the new Forensic Hospital is designed to achieve LEED Gold certification and be net-zero energy capable.

Partner Firm: HOK