Rush South Loop
Chicago, Illinois
American Society of Interior Designers Illinois – 2019 Design Excellence Award First Place – Healthcare
Rush University Medical Center (RUMC) identified the South Loop neighborhood in Chicago to expand its outpatient footprint. Finding 40,000 sf of contiguous space was difficult to accommodate in a patient-friendly location. During the search process, it became apparent that the best opportunity was to partner with a mixed-use developer to create a new clinic as part of a new building. In addition to assisting RUMC in the leasing requirements, Eckenhoff Saunders was hired to design the new clinic.
The integration within the new building includes a Michigan Avenue lobby, dedicated parking, and patient and staff entrances. Eckenhoff Saunders developed the new clinic around an innovative planning concept known as “off-stage/on-stage.” This concept allows caregivers to collaborate within an enclosed work environment near the exam spaces for easy/efficient access.
Eckenhoff Saunders created these “pods” to be as universal and flexible as possible, allowing various programs to be added, subtracted, expanded, or contracted. Each room module near the teamwork area was based on a size enabling them to be used for exams, storage, office, or a consultation room.
Programs include immediate care, a complete advanced imaging suite (MRI, CT, x-ray, ultrasound, and mammography), allergy, obstetrics/gynecology, primary care, dermatology, ENT, and pediatrics. The interior design included the integration of already strong RUMC branding.