- Insights
Trending Now
Custer, S.D.
Replacement Critical Access Hospital and Clinic
Monument Health Custer Hospital
Monument Health Custer Hospital’s existing healthcare services were growing, but aging mechanical systems and limited site opportunities prohibited facility expansion. To better address the needs reflected in Custer’s community health assessment, BWBR master planned and designed a replacement facility on a new site that allows Custer Hospital to increase usable square footage, create a safer patient experience, and attract more specialty care providers.
The design organically grows the new facility directly from the Black Hills’ pines, surrounding users with tree-trunk-like columns, copious daylight, and calming natural colors and textures. An iconic steepled entry ushers patients into a peaceful place of healing, much akin to walking under a canopy of trees. Functional yet soothing, materials were selected for their connection to Custer and Monument Health’s values in addition to their cleanability and durability.
Lean planning was used in the entire facility’s design. A centrally located nurse station oversees the emergency department, multi-functional procedure area, and inpatient rooms. The central location is key to reducing staff steps while effectively managing patient care during minimally staffed hours.
Team
Additional Team Members
Jill Buttenhoff
Senior Job Captain
Jeff Griesinger (retired)
Construction Administrator
Cheryl Lachelt (retired)
Senior Medical Planner
Project Specs
Size:
46,000 sq. ft.
Components:
11 inpatient beds; clinic with 18 exam rooms; hospice suite; outpatient physical therapy; emergency department with two treatment rooms, three walk-in exam rooms, and two large trauma bays; centralized lab; endoscopy suite; imaging suite with CT, X-ray, mammography, ultrasound, DEXA scan, and mobile MRI; three outpatient infusion rooms; administration; helipad; healing garden with walking paths
Completion:
2018
Related Perspectives
April 1, 2024
Making Meaning from Complexity: Thoughts on the State of Healthcare
How can architects help healthcare organizations successfully navigate and adapt in challenging conditions?
November 30, 2023
Financing Critical Access Hospitals: Navigating the Complexities
When it comes to Critical Access Hospital projects, two themes reign supreme: affordability and strategic thinking.
August 22, 2023
Small but Mighty: Challenges, Triumphs, and Community at Cascade Medical Center
Critical Access Hospitals, tasked with providing vital hospital services to rural populations, face unique challenges while serving their communities.
July 27, 2023
Creating a Clinic: Considerations in Healthcare Design
No two health clinics are the same, all serving different populations and ranging vastly in size and function.
April 24, 2023
Caring for Rural Communities: The Unique Design Needs of Critical Access Hospitals
Architecture and design are essential elements for making sure that Critical Access Hospitals meet the criteria to receive funding, as well as meet the needs of their staff and patients.
February 21, 2023
Healthcare Planners Take Design to the Next Level
For this episode of Side of Design, we spoke with some of BWBR’s talented healthcare planners to learn about this incredibly important role.