Medical center designed for movement

The new skilled nursing unit at Lee Health Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Meyers, Fla., is designed to help patients get back on their feet. 

The 75-bed, 56,771-square-foot facility provides private rooms, a physical therapy gym and an exterior therapy garden. Designed to revolve around the patient and their family, the specialized unit feels more like a second home with accommodations for patient privacy and their family.

The facility was designed by architecture firm Studio+ and features large windows to allow natural light into each room to encourage the patient’s recovery and well-being. The open layout of each unit motivates patients to get up and move, with bench rest stops strategically placed throughout the building. The design was created to support patients as they work to get back to their everyday lives after recovery.

The inspiration for the design came from Lovers Key Beach, which is known for its beautiful driftwood sculptures. The beauty of the driftwood influenced the space throughout the design, finishes and furniture selection. The washed wood brings warmth and texture, while blues and whites mimic the gulf and ocean waters. In an effort to bring calmness into the space, homelike pieces were used throughout the design.

“A goal of this project was to blend the lines between hospitality and health care through innovative design,” says Matthew Lessig, administrator of the Gulf Coast Medical Center Skilled Nursing Unit. “This approach allows us to provide care to more complex patients while the proximity of our location to the hospital promotes the sharing of resources to reduce the overall cost of care. Working side by side with Studio+ was an integral part of this project’s success.”