Missouri Baptist Medical Center Childbirth Center, St. Louis
Retrofit Team
ARCHITECT: Oculus Inc., St. Louis
INTERIOR DESIGNER: Standing Design, St. Louis, (314) 579-0878, and Oculus Inc.
MEP/FP ENGINEER: Webb Engineering Services Inc., St. Louis
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Optimal Engineering Solutions Inc., St. Louis
GENERAL CONTRACTOR and CONSTRUCTION MANAGER: Kadean Construction, Fenton, Mo.
LIGHTING: Lighting Associates, Webster Groves, Mo.
FURNISHINGS, TEXTILE DEALER: Color Art, St. Louis
Materials
The following materials were used in the renovation:
Acoustical Ceiling Tile: Armstrong Ceiling and Wall Solutions
Ceramic Tile: Sonoma Tilemakers and Daltile
Epoxy Flooring with Clear Epoxy Finish in Custom Colors: Desco Quartz Cremona Db from Desco
Paints: Sherwin-Williams
Solid Surface: Samsung Staron
Heat-welded Sheet Vinyl: Altro (0.080 gauge; 6 feet, 7 inches wide) and Armstrong Flooring (0.080 gauge, 6 feet wide)
IPC High-impact Wallcovering, Corner Guards, Bumper Guards and Trim: Inpro Corp.
Rubber Base Molding and Vinyl Base and Plank: Mannington Commercial
Bathtubs: Labor and Birth Tub Co. LLC, (206) 618-7433
The Retrofit
Renovations to the childbirth center were intended to support increased patient flow, patient load and provide a patient-centered and staff-supportive environment. Wood tones, paired with existing natural textures and finishes, add warmth to the space. This is all enhanced by oversized flower photos, each of which was selected for its color, meaning and sense of renewal. Headwalls made from sliding acrylic panels allow for easy access to electrical and medical gas service while reducing a clinical atmosphere in patient rooms. Wall sconces adorn the light-green and -blue color palette corridors, as well as frame patient beds. Oval mirror lighting in patient rooms also helps create a calm ambience.
Former triage rooms have been retrofitted into hydrotherapy labor and delivery rooms with soaking labor tubs; large seated showers with handheld showerheads; and seamless, anti-slip floor coverings. A reconfigured C-section suite added a third C-section room with HVAC system upgrades to enhance functionality and comfort for medical staff and patients.
The center staff’s review of new and existing casework and equipment layout helped maximize the layouts and design to support increased productivity. Staff experience helped to enrich renovations to the patient care stations, also resulting in increased overall functionality for the center.
Photos: Alise O’Brien