August 14, 2023

HOK unveils latest designs for new Western State forensic hospital

Images from HOK [enlarge]

Exterior materials are non-institutional in appearance, with the goal of destigmatizing mental health care.

[enlarge]

Elevated walkways connect building spaces, floating above courtyards and providing connections to nature as patients and staff move throughout the campus.

Architecture firm HOK has shared its newest designs for a planned forensic mental health care facility at Western State Hospital. This 350-bed forensic psychiatric hospital will be on 31.63 acres of Western State's 288-acre campus at 9601 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W. in Lakewood.

HOK says its design will promote a holistic approach to rehabilitation as part of the state's vision for transforming behavior health.

“Our design supports the healing, rehabilitation and care of forensic behavioral health patients in ways that challenge more traditional, institutional design solutions,” says Loren Supp, principal in HOK's Seattle studio and lead designer for the project, in a news release. “The new hospital will serve as a model for cities across the country, highlighting the necessity of investing in progressive mental and behavioral health services, programs and facilities to ensure the best long-term outcomes for vulnerable populations.”

HOK is designing the hospital to LEED Gold standards, and to meet or exceed Zero Net Energy and the state's Clean Building Act.

The hospital will serve forensic patients who enter care through the criminal court system, freeing other areas of the campus to serve civil patients. Programs and design elements will foster a therapeutic, safe environment using evidence-based health care practices. The hospital also will promote research and innovation by fostering partnerships with local academic institutions.

The hospital's exterior materials will be non-institutional in appearance, with the goal of destigmatizing mental health care. HOK says a modular lattice veil across the facade will create a woven appearance and balance the brick and painted steel facades of downtown and neighborhood buildings, creating a rhythmic pattern.

Inside, the design plan implements the therapy model while prioritizing transparency, biophilia and a holistic approach to treatment, balancing the needs of patients and providers for safety and security. The building also will be integrated with the topography of Western State's campus, using nature as a healing element. Elevated walkways will connect building spaces, floating above courtyards and providing connections to nature as patients and staff move throughout the campus.

The DJC reported in June 2022 that the hospital will be about 495,500 square feet, with additional structures consisting of a new 23,700-square-foot office annex, 20,000-square-foot materials management facility and 42,200-square-foot support annex. Western State will need to demolish 10 existing campus buildings to make room for the new hospital and its associated new roadways, sidewalks and parking lots.

Clark Construction Group last year was awarded the general contractor/construction manager contract. It was selected over Hensel Phelps and Hoffman Construction, the other two shortlisted firms. A public notice that ran in June of last year showed the estimated maximum allowable construction cost as $408 million.

HOK says construction will start later this year and should be finished by 2027, though the state's project website says the hospital will be finished between 2027 and 2029.