Permian Regional Medical Center Replacement Hospital – Bundy, Yong Sims & Potter+HKS

The Permian Regional Medical Center (PRMC) in Andrews, Texas, is a five-phase construction project with an expected completion date of August 2016. Once completed, this $60 million 175,000-square-foot facility will be a 34-bed, full-service acute care hospital and medical clinic with a physical therapy and wellness center. Phase 1 consists of the clinic, wellness center and hospital administration suite which will comprise 76,000 square feet of space. PRMC turned to Bundy, Young, Sims & Potter (BYSP) Inc., which collaborated with HKS Inc. for the architectural services on the project.

BYSP is a professional architectural firm based in Wichita Falls, Texas. The company provides a full spectrum of architecture, planning and interior design services to a diverse client base throughout the South and Southwest. Ron Fox, associate architect for BYSP, is the project manager for Phase 1 of the PRMC project. “The first phase of the project was the construction of the physical therapy and the Black Gold Health and Fitness (BGH&F) wellness center, and Andrews Family Medicine.” says Fox. “After that was completed, we moved into the next phase, which was the demolition of the existing doctor’s clinic. Phase three is the construction of the new hospital facility, with phase four the demolition of the existing hospital.”

The final phase of the project will consist of building a corridor that will connect phase three with an existing skilled nursing facility. BYSP’s primary responsibilities included the bond issue development phase, as well as oversight of all phases of the project. J. Brian Cargill of HKS is the project manager for the phase three work.

A reflection of surroundings

With the number of oil wells and connecting roads in Andrews, BYSP and HKS used a design approach that consisted of stucco and drywall with particular color groups within the exterior insulation and finishing system to reflect the aesthetic of the local area. The stucco walls incorporate a bas-relief feature incorporating the pattern of oil derrick platforms and roads one would see in a satellite image of the area. The entry areas are accented with a mix of smooth-face and rough-cut masonry, which reflects the geology and flatness of the regional plains. “A lot of the horizontal metal ribbed panels are also reflective of the flatness of the area,” says Fox. “It coordinates well with the long rectangular pattern in the stone.”

During the design portion of the project, the architectural team was faced with many challenges, one being that the existing hospital was to remain in full operation during construction of the replacement facility. The owners also specified that the new hospital would be physically connected to the existing Skilled Nursing Facility so as to share food service, laundry service and central supply with the hospital. Further, PRMC requested that the design team keep in mind the need to minimize staff and limit the design to a single-story facility.

“Designing the corridor to connect the new building with the Skilled Nursing Facility was an interesting challenge,” Fox explains. As a single-story building, PRMC will create a relatively large footprint. “We realized early in the bond-issue process that property acquisition was required,” he adds.

BYSP and HKS were able to design a central concourse for the public that serves as a spine for the entire facility. A secondary staff/service corridor connects all the hospital departments.

The BGH&F wellness center is a state-of-the-art facility that offers memberships to the public. The facility features new workout equipment, a lap pool, a therapy pool, steam room, a sauna, two racquet ball courts, a walking track and an aerobics room. The general consensus was that the wellness center needed to be included in phase one due to community enthusiasm and optimism for the future. “This was the driving force behind the bond issue,” recalls Fox. “It has been received in a way that has gone beyond the community’s expectations.” With more than 3,000 memberships already, BGH&F features a smoothie bar that draws a crowd from the community.

A company based on service

BYSP has been the lead architect on the PRMC project and chose early on to partner with HKS due to past collaborations on health care facilities with the firm. After completing the confirmation of the original bond issue space programming, BYSP looked at the budgetary limitations and requirements and knew that HKS would be the right fit. “We worked with HKS in the past on a local hospital, as well as a convention center here in Wichita Falls,” says Fox. “The overall team arrangement was beneficial for all parties involved.”

In addition to witnessing a project come to fruition, BYSP and HSK measure their success by the satisfaction of their clients. Both companies rely heavily on repeat business. BYSP and HKS work to establish new relationships while maintaining existing partnerships. Upon completion of Permian Regional Medical Center Replacement Hospital, BYSP Architects Inc. will add another successful project to its ever-expanding portfolio.