By Nathan Howell, AIA, NCARB, LSSYB, STV
In a rapidly changing healthcare landscape, we constantly innovate to safeguard the health of our communities. One priority underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic is that the health and well-being of communities is just as vital as that of the individuals we serve. Health is not just the absence of illness; it encompasses a holistic understanding of physical, mental, and social well-being. At STV, we believe that a cornerstone of building healthy and resilient communities is creating environments that not only enhance the healing of physical and mental illnesses but that are also designed to foster meaningful connections between individuals.
In Brooklyn, NY, the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hospital exemplifies how health and well-being extends beyond the traditional boundaries of medical facilities. STV’s program management team administered $992 million of improvements for this 371-bed hospital, including a new critical services building that doubles the emergency department’s capacity and provides dedicated space for behavioral health patients. Beyond comprehensive patient care, STV also fortified the community by overseeing the development of storm mitigation plans and a new flood wall, responding to severe damages induced by Superstorm Sandy. A vital piece of social infrastructure, this project contributes to community wellbeing by making healthcare more resilient for residents in South Brooklyn and beyond.
Similarly, the South Beach Psychiatric Center in Staten Island, NY, marks a paradigm shift in our understanding of well-being. STV’s contribution to this state-of-the-art inpatient treatment campus included the architectural and engineering design for a new 261-bed residential building. Providing a normative therapeutic environment based on the latest advancements in behavioral health design, the facility prioritizes elements like natural light and open spaces, enhancing the well-being of patients and the surrounding community. The project integrates mental health into our understanding of community well-being, while delivering modern patient care.
STV is Committed to Community Well-Being
With deep roots in New York and New Jersey, STV has provided comprehensive architecture, engineering, planning, and design services across the region for more than a century. Touching every type of social infrastructure project—from healthcare to education, justice and transportation—we comprehend the intrinsic value of a healthy and thriving community. As a multi-sector, multi-discipline firm, we are committed to understanding and improving the unique dynamics of each community we work in, which has allowed us to deliver innovative solutions that connect people and places.
In the health and well-being market, our design philosophy centers on improving the well-being of communities through each project we touch. Our architectural and engineering designs integrate a deep understanding of operational and clinical needs with design expertise to create more adaptable and resilient inpatient and ambulatory care and behavioral health facilities. Together with our clients, we prioritize the creation of healing environments for patients, their families and staff. Equally important, we strive to create spaces that become integral to their communities, fostering connections and relationships that endure.
Nathan Howell, AIA, NCARB, LSSYB, is a vice president and market sector leader for health and wellbeing at STV, a leading national infrastructure-focused professional services firm.