Duke Medicine Pavilion: A Serene External Space for both Patients and Visitors

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Get Smarter On Architecture and Design

Get the 3-minute weekly newsletter keeping 5K+ designers in the loop.

Enter your Email to Sign up

Side-bar-footer-forum

Duke University Medical Centre wanted a design that connects the three buildings on site while welcoming patients and visitors in breathtaking fashion. Perkins + Will designed an bamboo planters have been used to accentuate the outline of each particular space while reflecting the verticality of the buildings around.

To direct rain water, on the south end of the plaza a canopy has been created to direct water into a special band that infiltrates the drainage system. All mechanical equipment including large emergency generators is concealed underneath the ground which creates a space of beauty free from unnecessary distractions. Perkins + Will say the pavilion is now targeting LEED Gold Certification.

An elevated garden was also integrated into the plan to create a tranquil waiting zone on the third floor of the hospital. Most of the gardens plants include healing herbs to fit into context with the hospital's ideologies.

To uniformly integrate the garden with the hospital, seasonal color was applied to create moments of natural calmness within the busy hospital surrounding. Project Information Architect: Perkins + Will Location: Durham, North Carolina Completion: 2013 Size: 20,000 square feet LEED Gold Certification Awards: The Landscape Architecture Awards for Healthcare Environments, Bronze Award, 2013">exterior space with a new elevated plaza to compliment the site's location surrounded by three buildings.

The elegant space was designed to provide spaces for gathering and short periods of relief from unrest outside the hospital walls. The architects mission was to provide a space that calms the patients and visitors through proper color selection and simplicity in terms of form and material choice.

For the sake of having a focal point in the space, the architects used a Japanese Maple tree installed on one side of the ellipse-shaped precast wall. In order to make use of the ellipse space, more gathering space has been created within the ellipse accompanied with furniture to welcome people who may want to have informal meetings within the hospital. The space is also used as an outdoor diner. Giant bamboo planters have been used to accentuate the outline of each particular space while reflecting the verticality of the buildings around.

To direct rain water, on the south end of the plaza a canopy has been created to direct water into a special band that infiltrates the drainage system. All mechanical equipment including large emergency generators is concealed underneath the ground which creates a space of beauty free from unnecessary distractions. Perkins + Will say the pavilion is now targeting LEED Gold Certification.

An elevated garden was also integrated into the plan to create a tranquil waiting zone on the third floor of the hospital. Most of the gardens plants include healing herbs to fit into context with the hospital's ideologies. To uniformly integrate the garden with the hospital, seasonal color was applied to create moments of natural calmness within the busy hospital surrounding.

Unlock the potential of sustainable design by exploring this extraordinary LEED Gold Certified project: LEED Gold Residences For Miami Design District By Studio Gang Architects.

Project Information

Architect: Perkins + Will
Location: Durham, North Carolina
Completion: 2013
Size: 20,000 square feet LEED Gold Certification
Awards: The Landscape Architecture Awards for Healthcare Environments, Bronze Award, 2013

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Related Articles

Philosophy of Architecture for the Future Tropical Villa: Nature-Infused Modernity

Located in the serene village of Umalas, within the vibrant region of Canggu in Badung, Bali, the JUPITER UMALAS housing ...

Amorph Living Sculpture: An Architectural Exploration of Wood and Concrete in Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg, a beautiful town in Austria, has always managed to cultivate and preserve a rich urban fabric. This has made ...

The Turning Torso, Calatrava’s Twisting Skyscraper in Sweden

The Turning Torso, Twisting Torso or Rotating Torso, whatever name fits it best, Santiago Calatrava's Torso tower in Malmö is the tallest skyscraper ...