Estrella Ambulatory Surgery Center
Phoenix, AZ
Triad and The Plaza Companies teamed up to develop a new ambulatory surgery center, located on the Banner Estrella Medical Campus at the 101 and Thomas Road. The surgery center was designed to meet the outpatient needs of patients and physicians with a convenient, and accessible facility for both users. Several key factors were taken into consideration in the new, ground-up facility to provide efficiency and growth to meet the needs of this quickly growing community. The design of the surgery center creates an inviting experience for the patient and physician. Slivers of light penetrate the masses of monolithic concrete panels to allow daylight in corridors and between patient recovery beds. Translucent glazing allows light into spaces that are historically only lit by artificial means.
The 16,000 SF building includes four operating rooms (expandable to six),two procedure rooms, pre-op, expandable PACU, staff locker, administration, lobby, and public spaces. The inspiration for the design was to use the simplicity of the adjacent hospital material to help identify different uses and create a timeless and exciting experience for all users.
An expression of purity, massing, permanence and simplicity is portrayed through the solid concrete tilt panel masses which contextually play off of the “canyon wall” concept of the adjoining Estrella Medical Campus. Materials were used in honest ways to emphasize traits that could lift the human spirit and form a balance of the activities occurring within. Elements of light dispersed throughout the facility represent the purity found in the natural canyons of Arizona and offer a subtle reprieve to patients and staff in an environment often noted for high anxiety.
Expansive metal panels bridge the gap between the concrete canyon walls revealing the light below, providing uninterrupted slots of natural light to the spaces within. The creation of a “healing, wellness experience,” was the overriding goal. As a patient moves from an injured to a healed state, the building was designed to assist in the healing process. Where the patient experiences the building, daylighting and inspirational spaces were created to lift the human spirit and aid in the healing environment.
