Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital

Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital

HEALTHCARE

Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital

ROLE: Architect 
CLIENT: Arctic Slope Native Corporation
CONSULTANT: HDR (Healthcare Architect)

The new Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital was designed to facilitate preventative medical care and foster an ongoing medical relationship with the inhabitants of the North Slope communities. With local input, RIM created a design that serves as a destination for the community; provides quality care and healing; supports the needs of the body, mind and spirit; embraces cultural sensitivities; supports family-centered care in a safe environment; and supports efficient staff, patient, and material flow.   

The facility creates a sense of place by embracing its location and culture, supporting family-centered care, and allowing flexibility for current and future patient needs and staff workflow. The two-story structure was constructed on piles to address the Arctic environment in this northernmost hospital in the United States. All cold-climate design principles were applied to the design and construction. Due to its remote location, careful planning and phasing of the construction was required.  

The architecture draws inspiration from the building’s surroundings, paying close attention to the unique characteristics of the city of Barrow, far-northern daylighting, and the use of color.

Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center

Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center

HEALTHCARE / COMMERCIAL

Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center

ROLE: Architect
CLIENT: Waianae District Comprehensive Health and Hospital Board

Over 40 years ago, the “Kupuna Council” (Elder) of the Wai`anae community recognized a need for healthcare services within the community. Over the years, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC) has grown from being more than just a place where one comes to see the local doctor. Today, this building project represents the vision of the Kupuna and the community. Through the guidance of WCCHC’s leadership, the design incorporates native Hawaiian healing, cultural education, practices, and traditions through native healers working in conjunction with other healthcare providers to honor the community’s traditions. This building represents the vision of the Kupuna and the community. The community has responded by taking ownership and pride in their community healthcare center.

The building materials, details, and artwork subtly reflect various local themes. Glass partitions with integrated wave patterns represent the water that integrates with the land (`aina) represented by the dark wood floors. The purple color of the Popolo berry is the basis of the theme in Pharmacy. The Popolo berry is used within the native Hawaiian community for its medicinal value much like the medication developed in the Pharmacy. The sloping roofs were designed twofold – reducing the massing from the highway and following the slope of the land that respects the pu`u (peak) on which the building is located. Finally and more importantly, illustrating how the building connects the mountain and ocean, the sloping roofs and the large glass walls allow the outside in were based upon the Kupuna Council’s request to show how the native Hawaiian community looks to the ocean and the land (moana ame aina) for its healing remedies.