Back in June I had appendicitis, and spent some time in a local hospital in Mexico.  Of course I was focused on code compliance (or lack thereof) along with my top priority of leaving the hospital appendix-free.  I didn’t really spend much time thinking about the accommodations, a windowless room with an attached bathroom, other than noting the differences between the doors in US vs. Mexican hospitals.  A recent case study by AD Systems, highlights some of the many considerations for modern health care facilities.

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CASE STUDY

Care Center in the Park: Altru Health System’s Vision for Healing Through Design

Altru Health System has grown to become one of the largest health networks serving northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. In January 2025, they opened a new 550,000-square-foot state-of-the-art hospital in Grand Forks, ND. Designed by JLG Architects with guidance from the Altru’s Facility Planning Committee, the facility is envisioned as a “Care Center in the Park”. The design carefully balances soothing, patient-focused spaces with efficient workflows that support staff and enhance overall care experience.

Planning began in 2017 but was temporarily paused during COVID-19. When work resumed in 2021, the design was reshaped by the lessons of that global event. “These changes include elevated expectations from patients and families, enhanced reliance on technology, broader integration of technology and more stringent infrastructure requirements to ensure continuous care for patients and families,” said Josh Kehrwald, AIA, Managing Principal Architect, JLG Architects. With this approach, Altru’s new facility is well prepared to respond to today’s needs and any future health care challenges.

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