Aurora Health Care – Racine Clinic

Prior to undertaking the project, Aurora’s Racine Clinics were located in  two separate, but adjacent, buildings.  Aurora officials began planning to combine the two facilities in 2014 and started construction in 2015.  The infill expansion facilitated programmed expansions of surgical, oncology, urology, and ear nose and throat services clinical and treatment spaces as well as family practice space.  Within the oncology clinic is an infusion room for treatment therapies.  The infusion room includes its own oncology pharmacy and lab spaces.  The infusion room also offers alternative medical treatments including acupuncture, art therapy, massage and aromatherapy.  An outdoor healing garden provides patients, family members and staff a comforting respite space during the treatment process.

Among the challenges facing the architect was the reconciliation of differing grades between the two buildings.  This was accomplished by maintaining the upper-grade level of the west building throughout the infill spaces.  A subtly ramped hallway running along the building’s South – or main façade – that runs the entire length of the infill that connects the floor-plate levels.