Holston Medical Group Outpatient Diagnostic Center at Johnson City

In the words of former AIA president Carl Elefante, “the greenest building is one that is already built”. At a pivotal moment in history where a global pandemic is at the forefront of health and wellness concerns, architecture has the chance to connect human welfare to the physical environment.

The site for this healthcare facility was the prior home to Kmart, an American big box department store chain of which only 3 stores remain today. The former Kmart Garden Center and Auto Shop were rehabilitated to accommodate a state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging and clinical health center. The rebirth of commercial programming on this site represents a paradigm shift from investment in mass produced merchandise to an investment in human health. This shift in thinking is also represented in the reuse of an existing building. Care for an existing body and care for an existing building simultaneously improve the overall health and well-being of the community.

HMG utilizes bright, airy corridors and sleek finishes to support literal and aesthetic cleanliness. In avoidance of an overly sterile interior, bold, energetic blues are woven through the spaces to breathe fun into the palette and support a strong branding image for the facility. Staff workstations are arranged in pods throughout the plan to encourage swift collaboration, efficient access to supplies, and clear, separate patient/staff circulation. All existing masonry was wrapped with new EIFS for energy efficiency, and the main entrance was shifted to the side of the building to create an unexpected, dynamic elevation.

Framework for Design Excellence