Medical Center Campus is Renewed

ST. LOUIS – HOK has been named executive architect on the long-term project to renew the medical center campus on Kingshighway Boulevard, which encompasses Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine.

“HOK brings a strong understanding of the legacy of care on this campus,” said Robert Cannon, BJC group president responsible for design and construction in a statement. “As a St. Louis-based company, HOK also appreciates the significance to the community of a project of this magnitude.”

The long-term vision is to transform the medical center campus through renovation and new construction. The first phase will concentrate on the north campus and includes an expansion of St. Louis Children’s Hospital with enlarged diagnostics and treatment spaces and conversion of semi-private rooms to private rooms.

“Demand for pediatric services continues to grow and we are genuinely committed to doing what’s right for kids,” said Lee Fetter, president, St. Louis Children’s Hospital in a statement. “This renewal promises a significant impact on the way care is delivered for our patients and families for years to come.”

The campus renewal will extend over the next 10 years. In addition to the Phase I transition of the north side of the campus, the south end of the campus will undergo renovation and construction with a focus on increased critical care capabilities and additional private inpatient rooms, along with development of programs in medical and surgical services.

Both phases of the project will incorporate significant improvements to parking, traffic flow and wayfinding for patients.

"This is a unique opportunity to create environments that will transform the delivery of care while also enhancing the bond between BJC and the community it serves,” said Bill Hellmuth, AIA, HOK’s president and design director on the project in a statement. To further enhance this community connection, BJC is committed to ensuring the design of the project is sensitive to the medical center’s heritage and that the project creates opportunities for minority and women owned businesses.

The needs of a teaching and research campus will also be addressed in the renewal project. Additional space for university faculty practice clinics, community physician practices, diagnostic spaces and expanded clinical care at the Siteman Cancer Center and other surgical programs are included in the renovations.

Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital are members of BJC HealthCare, one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States. Both hospitals are affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine.