FKP Architects is one of the largest architectural firms in the United States and is known for its expertise and achievements in projects on education, research and scientific institutions, and healthcare. In 2017, they joined hands with Cannon Design that has an expansive reach in medical and healthcare projects. Together under the parent company, they have managed to expand their knowledge projects in Texas, Ohio and other regions where FKP established a stronghold with a family of over 1000 employees and an experience of over 100 years. Their design approach overlaps with the design philosophy of Cannon Design– ‘Living-Centered’. This approach takes into consideration all the interdependencies and thus, acts as a catalyst for systematic positive changes. Let’s take a look at a few of the projects by FKP before and after the merger to get an insight into their work style.
1. Texas Children’s Hospital Pavilion for Women, Houston, Texas
This 73,951 sq.m project put into a 15-storey multi-use hospital building for the needs of women and children, ranks in the top ten healthcare services in the country. With state-of-art facilities and design, this project stands ahead of its times. This project saw the involvement of multiple contractors, consultants and the active use of BIM to render a perfect design solution.
2. Medical Arts & Research Center (MARC), UTHSCSA, Texas
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio saw this addition of a new attraction in their campus. Medical Arts & Research Center (MARC) is the latest striking addition with world-class technologies and research materials, featuring the expertise of several renowned doctors in the field. This 26500 sq.m project is put together in an 8-storey building with an exquisite design taste.
3. Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
Ranked among the top 10 children’s hospitals in the world, Nationwide Children’s Hospital is a project which stands out in the entire healthcare sector. With the use of quirky colors and spaces, this project redefines the design of a children’s hospital. This 12-storey hospital follows a forest theme with motifs of butterflies, trees and ambient daylight throughout. Huge wooden animal sculptures found on each floor showcases the local workmanship in Ohio. The attention to details like the use of magnetic paints, larger patient rooms allowing personalization and expansion, and the color-changing LED light setting the mood-are given to create such extraordinary interiors.
4. Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
Yet another project that tops the list of Best Children’s Hospital is the Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis. This 12-storey, 255-beds hospital was completed in 2010 and is equipped with world-class facilities. The brilliant and efficient teams of SSR (engineering), FKP (architecture), and Skanska (construction) collaborated together to make this project a success. The hospital boasts of several sustainable features, leading to a 14% savings in annual energy bills. This project also has a LEED Silver rating.
5. CHOC Children’s Hospital, Tower II, California
This 8-storey complex has its concept of a space to nurture, advance and protect the health and well-being of children. This child-friendly healing space has been designed keeping in mind the mental state of children and is provided with state-of-art facilities. The use of multicolored panels and LED lighting gives a playful and soothing touch to their entire building. The use of BIM in the design phase had hugely contributed to rendering the design, both aesthetically and functionally, a success.
