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Art’s Role at Kaiser Permanente Westside Medical Center
There is a lot of research and evidence about the benefits of art in medical facilities. If planned out and presented well, it is calming and promotes healing. However, sometimes it is more of an afterthought than part of the initial design.
At Kaiser Permanente’s Westside Medical Center in Hillsboro, Oregon, art was not an afterthought at the end stages of construction. Rather, at the beginning, Kaiser established a “tranquil relief through nature,” theme to help guide the design of the hospital and then hired a firm to handle the art program. Themes were created for each floor, such as forests, water, wildflowers, and mountains/long-distance views, with corresponding wall colors, flooring, carpeting, and artwork. Outside, the landscaping incorporates statues of animals and even includes a glass waterfall.
In all, there are 975 works of art created by regional artists from Oregon and Washington. Healthcare Design Magazine has an article and photo tour on this art program and facility that opened up in August of 2013. To read the article and go on the photo tour, click here.
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- Staff areas get a touch of art with graphic prints. Photo: Stephen Cridland
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- A waterfall made from kiln-fired glass is located near the entrance to the parking garage. Photo: Stephen Cridland
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- The hospital campus includes bronze sculptures by local artists. Photo: Stephen Cridland
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- A 1,200-pound glass sculpture of gingko leaves hangs under a skylight in the hospital’s glass rotunda. Photo: Stephen Cridland
Source: Healthcare Design Magazine
