This 38,500 s.f. community health clinic offers medical and dental health services to at-risk individuals in the metro Denver community. The 2-story facility includes 50 exam rooms divided across five clinical pods – senior/disability care, pediatrics, obstetrics, family practice and extended hours care – as well as a dental suite, and lab. In partnership with the Jefferson Center for Mental Health (JCMH) the clinic also offers services to foster mental health, honoring the connection between physical and mental health. Utilizing the concept of Patient Centered Medical Home, MCPN emphasizes team care and care collaboration as a way to manage population health.
The entrance to this LEED-NC Gold certified facility is designed to be welcoming and warm, sited to shield users from a busy adjacent street. Bright, open waiting areas center the building’s form, and the distinct pods are clearly identified by color themes. The internal organization provides excellent back-of-house connection, which supports staff members collaborating between pods.
Recognizing that the construction and operation of their facilities affects both the environment and their ability to serve, MCPN made LEED certification of the new Clinic a priority. Reducing resource use, carbon footprint, and operating costs meant stepping beyond conventional practices, and seeking alternatives that would benefit all stakeholders.
A Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) mechanical system is at the core of the building’s energy-efficiency. The system was deemed ideal for this type of facility, where hours/days of operation and preferred temperature ranges vary between services, as it is capable of meeting the specific heating and/or cooling demands of different zones simultaneously. Combined with efficient lighting and traction elevators, the project achieved a 45% reduction in energy use over similar buildings. Also of note, the construction team documented an impressive 94% total diversion of construction waste for the project.