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Designing the New SSM Health SLU Hospital

by Rebecca DeZeeuw

For the last five years, a number of people have dedicated their talents and expertise to the SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital project. Members of our healthcare team have worked closely with SSM Health, from initial design concepts to the final walk through, to create a welcoming, state-of-the-art medical facility that will play an important role in the future of medicine. As the hospital welcomes its first patients, here are a few words from some of the Lawrence Group team members that helped bring this project to life:

 

Michael Schnaare, AIA, NCARB
Project Principal

“This project has been a great journey with SSM Health and will give the St. Louis community access to the latest technology, care and patient amenities in the region. We are proud to be associated with a wonderful team that made this project possible, including our long-standing partners SSM Health, Alberici and IMEG as well as HGA and all the other partners that helped us make this project a reality. It’s brought me great joy to see our healthcare team and partners work so well together to create a facility that will advance the future of medicine and serve the community for many years to come.”

 

Beth Trueblood
Interior Design Principal

“The new SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital has been a culminating point in my career. I feel so fortunate to have worked with an amazing team to create such a stunning environment. As I walk through the spaces, I am proud to see that the vision set forth by the leaders at SSM Health has come to fruition. It truly reflects their commitment to the community they serve.”

 

Riza Encarnacion, RA, NCARB
Project Manager

“The SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital campus renewal is the largest project I have ever worked on in terms of construction cost as well as square footage. It has been an honor to manage this project for the past several years, and it has been a real pleasure to work with such a great team. Walking through the facility a few weeks before opening, after much of the furniture and artwork had been installed, I was filled with amazement as I realized that I was now standing in spaces that were once just renderings. To see the vision finally become reality is so satisfying.”

 

Clayton Buehrle
Project Architect

“It was a pleasure to be a part of this hospital and campus renewal project, from design through construction. The new SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital will be a great new facility for students, staff and, most importantly, patients and surrounding community. The campus also provides great views! Not only of itself – inside and out – but also views of the city it serves.”

 

John Iffrig, PLA, ASLA
Landscape Architect

“The new hospital was important to me because landscape architecture played such an important role in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for patients, visitors, and staff. Our designs were able to provide safe and accessible circulation around campus while also providing respite for patients and their families. From biodiverse plantings for wellness and beauty to the serene courtyard space that can be used for gatherings, we were able to surround the urban campus with lush plantings allowing all to engage with nature’s therapeutic benefits and improve overall health.”

 

Danielle Spink
Interior Designer

“The SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital project has been a highlight in my career. Being my first large scale project, and with the guidance of our amazing team, it has allowed me to learn and grow into a more mature designer. After having the role as the lead interior production designer, the most rewarding part of the project was watching the intricate details come together to create a beautiful, cohesive, and timeless project as a whole.”

 

Congrats to SSM Health, Saint Louis University and all of our partners on the successful completion of the new SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital.