| The community in Lancaster has long relied on Los Angeles County Healthcare facilities to provide their healthcare needs. Until now, the only location for those services was set in the middle of a sprawling correctional facility enclave on the outskirts of town. The recent healthcare reform, including changing the focus away from hospitalization to outpatient care, prompted the County Supervisors to build a new cutting edge facility for the local community.
The High Desert Regional Health Center is a full-service, 142,365 square foot outpatient clinic designed to be a beacon of healthcare within the harsh, high desert community. The County of Los Angeles selected a new location in the heart of the city to emphasize their commitment to the region with a state-of-the-art medical care facility. Located close to the center of town for a strong presence, maximum visibility and identity, the center now provides a one-stop-shop for a majority of healthcare needs.
Patients and visitors enter at a central drop off location under a cantilevered canopy structure leading to a large, glazed vestibule and grand two-story atrium. Each floor places a central registration center at the middle of each level to direct patients to distributed waiting areas near their designated clinic areas.
The main, two-story atrium lobby features upper perimeter glass allowing large amounts of natural light to flood the space, deep into the heart of the building. The atrium lobby opens to the east entrance with a full height glass wall that clearly identifies the entrance to the building. The lobby is finished with durable and comforting materials including wood paneling, terrazzo and carpeted flooring, enhanced by kinetic art sculptures and wall panels.
The Multi-Service Ambulatory Care Center includes Urgent Care (with extended hours), Pediatrics, Adult Internal Medicine, Imaging, Outpatient Surgery, Occupational and Physical Therapy, Dental Clinic, Oncology/Hematology, Pharmacy and Laboratory Services. Several unique, specialty clinics also reside in the building including an AV Hope Center, an Abuse Clinic that provides counseling and treatment, as well as a Women’s Services Clinic.
The majority of the clinical services are housed on the north side, providing an abundance of natural light brought in from the large windows. The supporting functions reside on the deeply shaded south side screened with airfoil louvers reminiscent of the aircraft industry history of the area. The surgical and imaging services are located on the west side of the building with thin strip windows protecting against the intense western sun exposure. The south side of the building is primarily administrative support.
The County’s commitment to sustainable design is accentuated by additional site developments including photovoltaic paneled covered walkways, groundwater replenishing site drainage, collection and harvesting systems and low water use native plant materials. The exterior of the building is designed with durable and sustainable materials of pre-cast concrete, glass, and metal panels that create permanence and a timeless character indicative of the presence and permanence of the County’s commitment to this region. The facility is anticipating a LEED Gold certification.
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