Palo Alto VAHCS, Spinal Cord Injury/Disease Center

QPK Design was part of a team (Paradigm and KPA Group) that provided master plan services to the Palo Alto VA Healthcare System’s North campus. SCI/D rehabilitation units at four hospitals (Minneapolis VAMC, Milwaukee VAMC, Craig Hospital in Denver CO, and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston MA) were toured by the team as part of this effort.

QPK Design developed concept plans for a new 63-bed, 130,000 SF SCI/D building. To facilitate patient movement to and from the polytrauma and patient wellness building, the new SCI/D Center is located directly adjacent to the parking structure. Outpatient traffic enters from the adjacent main loop road around the campus. Exterior aesthetics reflects the vernacular of the buildings on the main campus.

The final concept design includes 43 acute care and 20 long-term care beds, indoor and outdoor therapy spaces, outpatient clinic and interior and exterior quiet spaces. Ten (10) acute-care patient rooms were sized as long-term care to allow for flexibility in patient acuity. A staff roof garden is planned on the one-story wing and will allow for vertical expansion should the need arise in the future. Patient exterior and interior common spaces are located throughout the Center to provide a variety of experiences for patients outside of their rooms.