DBVW Architects and Consigli Construction have completed their work on the $24 million Lowell Community Health Center. A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony was the culmination of a renovation project that consolidated six of the Health Center's outpatient locations into a 100,000 s/f medical and community health facility.
The six-story facility has 77 exam rooms, a teen center, a teaching kitchen, one floor of administrative offices and conference rooms, and a pharmacy. DBVW Archts. provided architectural, interior, and signage design services, and worked with various departments including pediatrics, behavioral health, adult medicine, cariño, nutrition, family medicine and health promotion, among others, to understand their present and future needs. The Health Center's population speaks over 25 languages, so clear signage and wayfinding patterns were critical.
Dorcas Grigg-Saito, CEO for the Health Center, said, "The talented team that we have worked with at DBVW Architects has been most skillful with incorporating all of our extensive needs into the existing space. Their exceptional communication skills, their fine attention to detail and their strong ability to turn things around quickly have kept this project on track. The result is a design that not only suits our building needs, but one that truly excites staff and patients alike."
The grand opening celebration focused on the team effort that was necessary to bring this project to fruition. Part of the historic Hamilton Mill on Jackson St., this redevelopment project took many years and depended on the efforts of many individuals and organizations. "The city's always had a bigger vision for Jackson Street," said city councilor Bill Martin at the grand opening celebration. "I've had some state people tell me that what's happened on Jackson Street here in the last couple of years rivals anything in the state in terms of redevelopment."
Lowell CHC provides care to 50,000 residents of the area a year, regardless of wealth or insurance status. The ribbon cutting was a happy moment for the 1,400 donors who contributed to the successful $5 million capital campaign. The donors included the employees of Lowell CHC, who had almost 90% participation in the donor program and contributed over $350,000.
Michael Viveiros, principal in charge of design at DBVW said, "It's having a chance to collaborate with people like these, who have made a lifetime commitment to community healthcare, that makes architecture worth pursuing. My team and I are truly honored to be associated with Lowell Community Health Center."
Durkee, Brown, Viveiros & Werenfels (DWVW) Architects is a 23-person, full-service architectural firm located in Providence. Their portfolio includes adaptive reuse of historic structures; mixed-use urban redevelopment; preservation of historic landmarks; healthcare; higher education; commercial interior design; affordable, market-rate and mixed-income multifamily housing; and master planning. It is DBVW Architects' goal to incorporate smart growth principles and sustainable design strategies into all of their projects. DBVW provides services throughout the Northeast.