ROJO Provides Healing Environment for Baycare

Online, June 1, 2011 (Newswire.com) - What do you get when you combine cutting edge care, patient comfort, contemporary architecture and Old Florida? It's not a self-diagnosing Lazy-Boy, it's Baycare's new Outpatient Imaging Center at Van Dyke. The new 10,000 sf diagnostic campus includes phlebotomy lab, CT, MRI, Mammography, XRay, Bone Density and Sleep Lab (Phase 2). The design of the center by ROJO Architecture focuses on the patient while allowing staff to flow from task to task in the centralized administrative pod. The result is an efficient, comfortable environment, ever-mindful of the patient in what can typically be a stressful testing environment.

"We knew that the patient needed to come first when we started the design," said ROJO Project Manager Swapnali Salunkhe, RA. "as the project developed, we looked for opportunities to bring the outside in, allowing nature to dominate the space wherever possible."

The resulting building opens to the exterior, with high windows allowing a constant view of Florida's blue skies. Covered entry and adjacent patio slope upwards, opening the project to the wetlands behind the building. Materials and tones are earth-colors and environmentally friendly. Glass panels in-laid with bamboo accent the corridors.

The project is seeking LEED certification, a strict guideline of environmental codes established by the US Green Building Council, and will be an example to diagnostic centers across the state. The adjacent St. Joseph's Hospital North is also LEED Certified. Opened in early 2010, St. Joseph's North is Baycare's newest hospital with full trauma and acute care services.

To further focus on the natural, artwork throughout the facility features award-winning photographer Carlton Ward capturing Florida's wilderness. Ward is well known for his conservation efforts, founding the Legacy Institute for Nature and Culture (LINC) in 2004. The gently curved corridors of the center provide the perfect backdrop for these portraits, exquisitely capturing the diversity of Florida's natural resources.

ROJO Principal Jonathan Moore, AIA sums it up best when he says "the building is the result of so many teams putting their heart and soul into detailing the next level of patient care for Baycare. I truly believe Baycare's mission of delivering unparalleled service is evident in their new outpatient imaging center. The entire team should be commended."

Team:
Owner: Baycare Development, LLC
Architect: ROJO Architecture
General Contractor: DeLotto and Sons
Civil Engineer: Gulf Coast Consulting
Electrical Engineer: Hall Engineering
Mechanical Engineer: Mechanical Engineering Solutions

ROJO Architecture is a local planning, architecture and interiors firm. The firm produces about 50 projects per year including custom residential, multi-family, religious, medical, retail, hospitality and education. The award-winning design firm has designed such local projects as Boizao Steakhouse, 3405 Cityhomes, St. Andrews Episcopal Church Preservation and Children's Chapel, and HARC's Center for Life Development. Recently recognitions include the Tampa Bay Business Journal's Business of the Year - Professional Services, Metal Architecture Magazine Leader in Metal Design, AIA's People's Choice for Design Award, and the Hillsborough County Planning Commission's Award of Excellence. Images and in-depth histories can be found at www.getROJO.com.

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Jonathan Moore, AIA, Principal of ROJO Architecture at 813-630-5508 or at [email protected].

Contact: Jonathan Moore, AIA
Telephone: 813-630-5508
Cell Phone: 813-784-3146