The Inspira Medical Center in Mullica Hill, NJ was featured this past November on the cover of Healthcare Design Magazine, a leading publication focused on the creation of healthcare spaces that promote wellness and human-centered design. The Lighting Practice is honored to have been on the design team, led by Array Architects, Leach Wallace Associates, and Skanska USA, to provide a new state-of-the-art-hospital focused on the well-being of patients, families, and staff. The photo tour featured in the magazine highlights the team’s Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) design process and decision to create a hotel-like experience infused with biophilic design strategies.
To support the hospital’s future growth and expansion, Inspira Health invested in a new replacement hospital to accommodate both inpatient and outpatients. The design team utilized an IPD approach, which benefited the project’s budget and timeline. The Lighting Practice was able to efficiently communicate lighting challenges and solutions to project stakeholders and the design team creating a streamlined process and resulting in fewer RFIs and VE requests. “The IPD process played a significant role from beginning to end. Open communication between all members of the team expedited decision-making during design and construction, ultimately leading to a successful healthcare design,” adds Ryan Conover, EDAC, Project Manager.
TLP emphasized biophilic design elements in public areas by warmly illuminating natural stone, wood accent walls, and ceiling features creating a welcoming environment. Decorative pendants and millwork lighting identify destinations, like nurse stations and waiting areas, reinforcing wayfinding and helping patients and visitors better navigate the facility. Waiting areas were lit like hotel amenity spaces for family and visitors to decompress from the hospital environment in addition to perimeter lighting to create a sense of daylight. LED downlights and volumetric troffers provide most of the ambient light while perimeter slot fixtures highlight artwork and textured walls. To support patient comfort, TLP specified visually comfortable “skylight” troffers in patient rooms. The multifaceted fixtures provide ambient, reading, and exam lighting controlled via a pillow-switch device. Layers of light and dimmable LED luminaires give patients more control of their environment and support the concept of human-centric design. “We hope the lighting design will make patients and families comfortable during their visit,” says Ryan, “as well as creating a space where staff can enjoy the facility for years to come.”
The Lighting Practice is honored to have been part of the design team for the Inspira Medical Center.
Click here to view the project feature in Healthcare Design Magazine