NKB

Project Overview:

For this $6M behavioral healthcare design project at the Veterans Administration in Marion, IL, the VAMC implemented a new recovery approach for behavioral healthcare and treatment by catering to clients sustaining deep Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The project initiated with a feasibility study, construction documents and later involved construction of a 14-bed, 17,000 SF Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation facility.  The unit provides residential capacity for 14 clients at a time with a length of stay varying from two weeks to a year.  The physical environment focuses on creating a residential facility, including dining and food prep facilitates operated by the residents rather than staff. Additional space accommodates therapeutic and recreational needs.

The treatment facility adopted a single-bed model and the space also included support spaces, kitchen/dining, day room, and a courtyard. The facility is the second on the campus that will eventually become a behavioral health campus and sustain its own identity for patients, families, and caregivers. The site is on VA historical register and required a sensitive and comparable design solution.

Project Fact:

When this project was implemented, it was in the first round of facilities in the country specifically designed to accommodate the treatment of PTSD.