Kaiser Permanente Lutherville-Timonium Medical Center

A Community in the Crossroads

Located on a 5-acre sliver of land between Interstate 83 and Maryland’s Light Rail, and adjacent to a large Metro Bus Stop, the North Baltimore Hub is located at a crossroads for various transit corridors, giving patients and staff numerous transportation options. Whether arriving by bus, car or train, our team purposefully planned pedestrian flows to give visitors a cohesive experience. The design also incorporates a Thrive Walk, a vegetated walkway featuring sculptures and a bold mural created by local artists, that runs from the public transit stops all the way to the facility’s front door.

A Striking Exterior

Using a variety of prefabricated components, the L-shaped building’s diagnostic and treatment block is clad in a rust-colored steel wrap that nods to Baltimore’s industrial history, while the taller tower uses large expanses of glass and modern fins to reference the City’s technology-fueled future. The adjacent seven-story parking garage is draped in wire mesh that complements the medical building while allowing air and light to make their way deep into the space. A drop-off canopy connects the two structures, using glass and perforated metal to create a light, airy feel.

We Have That Service

In addition to primary care, 24/7 urgent care, and a full range of radiology services and pharmacy operations, the 225,000-square-foot space also houses specialty medical and surgical care, including optometry, oncology, orthopedics, obstetrics/gyn, behavioral health, and more. A monumental stair in the two-story main lobby encourages physical activity and connects visitors to retail, dining and ancillary functions, while the clinics are accessible from a main circulation zone that runs the length of the tower. The interior furniture and finishes complement the exterior, using black and rust-colored metal to honor Baltimore’s history and bold pops of Kaiser Permanente’s brand colors to modernize the space. Strategic signage and clinic-specific color schemes aid in wayfinding.

To allow the facility to flex as Kaiser Permanente’s membership base continues to grow, the team utilized specialized steel connections, demountable wall partitions, and pre-manufactured head walls. Additionally, a standardized clinic design will enable the building to accommodate new modalities without renovation.

Going for Gold

The tight site left medical planners with a less-than-ideal building orientation, however the team rose to the challenge by working within the site constraints to create a unique solution that integrates within its’ surrounding context. Understanding that the heat gain on the southern and western sides of the building would be high, ultimately impacting energy usage and costs, vertical fins and glass fritting were utilized to control glare and solar radiation, while still flooding the facility with natural daylight and maintaining views of the neighboring residential communities. Additionally, over 40,000 square feet of solar panels were included on top of the parking garage to generate renewable energy, and green roofs were installed to reduce the urban heat island effect and manage rainwater, while also providing a positive distraction for patients. All-in-all, sustainable strategies are projected to save the North Baltimore Hub nearly $1 million in energy costs over 30 years and the project is on track to become LEED Gold certified.

A One-Stop-Shop for Around-the-Clock Care

With an unparalleled array of primary and specialty medical care services under one roof, Kaiser Permanente’s newest hub will provide around-the-clock care for members with health concerns that are too complex for a doctor’s office but don’t require a multi-day hospital stay. By honoring the local community while providing flexibility for the future, the design for this transit-oriented healthcare development will serve Timonium residents for decades to come.