KANSAS CITY, Mo.—An Award of Merit has been given to architecture firm Hoefer Wysocki for its innovative and sustainable work on the Saint Luke’s Multispecialty Clinic – Blue Springs, Missouri.  Hoefer Wysocki was awarded the 2019 United States Green Building Council (USGBC) West North Central (WNC) Leadership Awards in the “Innovative Design, New Construction” category for its work on Saint Luke’s.

The LEED Silver-certified clinic, valued at $11.6 million, was purpose-built for specialized and flexible outpatient care such as imaging, labs and pharmacy services.  According to Hoefer Wysocki, the clinic offers a “flexible floor plan” for its examination rooms, in which specialists can rotate their visits with one patient without reconfiguring the room layout. 

Of particular importance for Hoefer Wysocki was ensuring that the Saint Luke’s Multispecialty Clinic – Blue Springs, Missouri, be a model for sustainability, said Ashley Eusey, P.E., LEED AP, GGP, sustainability specialist at Hoefer Wysocki.

“Sustainability can provide great value to any project,” Eusey said in a statement to HCO News.  “The healthcare industry specifically has a history of extensive water and energy use, so reducing use of these two resources can potentially reduce operating costs.”

Such concerns were ameliorated in the design process with a particular focus on improved stormwater management.  Furthermore, construction waste was hauled away in part to divert solid waste away from landfills.

“Resilient design, which emphasizes adaptability and flexibility, can also decrease future renovation costs as medical equipment, technology and treatment approaches evolve over time,” added Eusey.

Hoefer Wysocki’s sustainability measures at Saint Luke’s included incorporating walking trails throughout the grounds as part of an overall employee wellness program.  What the firm calls “strategic daylighting” will hopefully help with darkness-related mood shifts that can occur during the colder months, and electric vehicle charging stations are also included on the site as well as part of the push for sustainability.

The firm also points out that sustainability development saves money over the long haul and improves both business and the patient experience.  Furthermore, Eusey and Hoefer Wysocki are pushing for more sustainable facilities across the Midwest in this and future projects. 

However, constant vigilance is the key to ensure that things don’t get sloppy, Eusey said.

“Commissioning and metering assist in maintaining optimal performance of building systems [and] continuous monitoring can alert maintenance personnel of performance deficiencies,” said Eusey, who is recognized as a national leader in sustainable design.  “This practice potentially prevents mechanical breakdowns long before they affect utility bills and system performance.

“All of these strategies were incorporated into the Saint Luke’s Multispecialty Clinic design.”

McCownGordon Construction of Kansas City, which served as the general contractor, has built facilities for the Saint Lake’s system of clinics in both Missouri and Kansas. 

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