Kaiser Permanente North Arundel Medical Center

A Carefully Calibrated Site Plan

The project site is surrounded by 13 acres of wetlands, public arterial roads, private streets, utilities, and property lines, and had to meet zoning requirements, environmental regulations, and Kaiser Permanente’s required parking ratio. Our three-story design efficiently stacks the clinical and retail functions to reduce the building’s footprint while increasing visibility from nearby streets and the adjacent highway, while also creating a defined circulation system that supports a patient-friendly environment and provides views to exterior amenities. The layout also enabled us to preserve 15% of the surrounding natural forest and incorporate bioswales to manage stormwater and avoid runoff into wetland areas.

The Flexibility to Grow and Adapt

Given the program requirements and limited available square footage, space planning posed a significant challenge that resulted in some innovative design solutions. Our team created a layout that allows clinics to share space, increasing efficiencies while enabling clinics to handle varying quantities of patients. Additionally, demountable partition walls and 6,000 square feet of reprogrammable space provide flexibility for future growth.

Comfort Through Clarity

A cornerstone of its brand, Kaiser Permanente embraces the idea of a “Total Health Environment” that comforts members during the entirety of their visit. With three floors and nine different clinics, we created comfort through clarity with intuitive circulation and wayfinding. Entry portals, graphics, and color-coded walls enable patients to easily navigate the building without added stress. Additionally, we incorporated wall graphics and strategically placed signage to encourage physical fitness and educate members about staying healthy.

Going for Gold

The facility is Kaiser Permanente’s first LEED Gold certified facility in the Mid-Atlantic region. Sustainable features include efficient mechanical systems, LED lighting, instantaneous water heaters, occupancy sensors, full energy monitoring, and a more efficient building envelope than required by code. With careful planning and client guidance, we reduced the facility’s total water and energy consumption, carbon footprint and demand for construction materials. Overall, the building is expected to perform 36% better than the standard baseline, and water consumption will be 20% lower than federal government standards.

High Performance, High Design

Designed to provide the Baltimore Metropolitan region with vital healthcare services including primary care, obstetrics, pediatrics, optometry, ophthalmology and imaging, the Kaiser Permanente North Arundel Medical Center provides a state-of-the-art facility that meets the needs of the client as well as the growing community.