Colorado Real Estate Journal - April 20, 2016
RTA Architects announced the conclusion of the design and construction of the Denver Health Southwest Community Health Center and Urgent Care at 1339 S. Federal Blvd. Nearly 30 months after the planning of the clinic began, the 45,000-square-foot facility is nearing its opening. Hensel Phelps was the general contractor. Pete Gutierrez, associate chief operating officer, Denver Health Ambulatory Services, said, “Together with RTA, we are aiming for more than just a building. You have to spur the community to help them rise up. You have to give them hope by surrounding them with people who truly care about their well-being and provide facilities to support that. The Southwest Family Health Center will absolutely turn this community around.” RTA began the design process with an immersion phase and spent several days at an existing Denver Health community health center to document the current state of patient, staff and procedure flows. “We went in with our eyes and ears wide open and really looked at Denver Health’s needs, desires, processes and mission,” said Kevin Gould, AIA, RTA principal-in-charge. “The ultimate goal was to optimize flow and value for the patients and staff of the new Southwest Community Health Center and to create a space that will be embraced as a centerpiece of the community.” Denver Health’s intention to serve and empower community members is embodied throughout the entire building from expansive atriums and lobbies, to a large interactive children’s play zone. There also is a large multipurpose community conference room, which can be used for activities such as cooking classes and local meetings. Universal signage and intuitive wayfinding allow multilingual patients to easily make their way around the facility. Departments that need to be most accessible to the community – like urgent care, pharmacy and dental services – are all located near the entrance of the building. The Southwest Community Health Center offers 40 exam rooms and will be the first in the Denver Health system to provide on-site urgent care. The opening of the new clinic this month coincides with the 50th anniversary of the first Denver Health community health center in the Five Points neighborhood. Since 1975, RTA Architects has created award-winning architectural and interior designs for the Colorado built environment. RTA specializes in health care, education, retail and commercial properties.