VA Palo Alto Polytrauma and Blind Rehabilitation Center

The replacement Polytrauma and Blind Rehabilitation Center is the first of its kind to combine advanced therapies for treating low vision and total blindness, along with specialized physical medicine and rehab services for veterans returning from war with multiple injuries, including brain trauma. The center is designed to provide inpatient, transitional and outpatient services with programs that will develop and improve living and manual skills, orientation, mobility, and physical conditioning.

Organized into two buildings, they connect by glass-enclosed bridges. Round the clock operations such as inpatient beds, treatment spaces, and essential inpatient staff are housed in the three-story building while outpatient services, day therapies, administration space, and operates 40 hours per week are in the two-story facility. This building organization contributes to energy savings, along with a building management system, daylight sensors, energy efficient equipment, and photovoltaic panels. The central courtyard includes celebratory outdoor space for use by all occupants, while dedicated smaller courtyards and roof terraces are available for use by each of the different inpatient units.

This project was designed to meet LEED Silver equivalency.

Location: Palo Alto, CA
Client: Department of Veteran Affairs
Size: 174,000 sq. ft.
Awards: 2019 AIA/AAH Healthcare Design Award