Perkins+Will’s Washington, D.C. Office Provides Clinic Planning and Design Services for Community of Hope’s New $26 Million Health Center in the District of Columbia’s Ward 8

Washington, D.C. (April 2, 2014) – Global architecture and design firm Perkins+Will announces today that one of its clients, Community of Hope, has officially opened its new $26 million health center in Washington, D.C.

Mayor Vincent Gray (D) recently spoke at a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Perkins+Will’s officials and others for the 50,000-square-foot medical-office building, known as the Conway Health and Resource Center and located at 4 Atlantic St. SW in the city’s Ward 8.

Perkins+Will’s Washington, D.C. office provided interior fit-out design services to Community of Hope for this facility, which will accommodate up to 40,000 medical, dental and behavioral health visits by serving approximately 10,000 residents.

The center, featuring 20 medical exam rooms, 11 dental chairs, six rooms for behavioral health and a large education room, received the majority of its funding from the D.C. and federal governments, as well as private donors. It is a facility deemed critical by city leaders in their efforts to increase primary-care access in both Wards 7 and 8.

David Cordell, IIDA, LEED AP ID+C, a Senior Associate, Sustainability Leader and Technical Coordinator with Perkins+Will's Washington, D.C. office, notes that the Conway Health and Resource Center consolidates the non-profit Community of Hope’s many clinical and administrative services, including medical, dental, behavioral health, housing support and community counseling, under one roof.

“The facility’s interior planning is organized around several key concepts: a healthy environment, future flexibility, community outreach and a cultural change for Community of Hope’s staff. These concepts and goals were realized within a modest budget,” he says. “We’re extremely excited and pleased to have provided design services for a vital medical-office building that will assist thousands of D.C. residents in need.”

The basic planning module for the facility is centered around “universal rooms,” which support a variety of clinical functions. This concept was developed with Community of Hope during the early stages of design and offers flexibility for evolving patient demographics and future services.

Floor plates were organized for efficient way finding, maximum day light and other evidence-based design strategies that reduce stress and offer a healthier environment for Community of Hope’s workers and patients alike.

The interior planning concepts transform and improve the organization’s internal culture, as well as patient outreach. The first floor is organized around a community center that enables Community of Hope to host a variety of public functions throughout the year. The administrative headquarters on the fourth floor, meanwhile, has been organized for collaborative, team-based work.

About Perkins+Will
Perkins+Will is an interdisciplinary, research-based architecture and design firm established in 1935 and founded on the belief that design has the power to transform lives and enhance communities. Each of the firm’s 24 offices focuses on local, regional and global work in a variety of practice areas. With hundreds of award-winning projects annually, Perkins+Will is ranked as one of the top global design firms. Perkins+Will is recognized as one of the industry’s preeminent sustainable design firms due to its innovative research, design tools, and expertise. The firm's 1,500 professionals are thought leaders developing 21st century solutions to inspire the creation of spaces in which clients and their communities work, heal, live and learn. Social responsibility is a fundamental aspect of Perkins+Will’s culture, and every year the company donates 1 percent of its design services to pro bono initiatives. For more information, visit www.perkinswill.com.



About Community of Hope
Founded in 1980, Community of Hope works to improve the health and quality of life for low-income, homeless and underserved families and individuals in the District of Columbia by providing health care, housing with supportive services, educational opportunities, and spiritual support. In 2013, 354 homeless families received housing with supportive services, and 7,100 patients received medical, dental, behavioral health or birthing services. Community of Hope was recognized by The Washington Post for the 2012 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management.