Metro Health Hospital Reflects New Design Trends

ASSA ABLOY -- Interior Design, 3/1/2013 11:20:00 AM

The new Metro Health Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a shining example of the new trend in health-care design. Not only has the facility followed green-building standards to achieve LEED certification, but it also incorporates evidence-based design principles that suggest patient recovery rates improve if hospitals offer a pleasant, relaxing environment similar to a hospitality setting.

This design principle does not lessen the strict security requirements of a hospital. Instead, it encourages hospitals to seek out security and life-safety solutions that flow naturally with the facility layout and create a sense of freedom. Metro Health Hospital accomplished this objective through the solutions of ASSA ABLOY.

Besam automatic doors operators, McKinney hinges, Norton door closers, Curries doors and frames, Assa cylinders and key management software, HES electric strikes, Sargent locks and exit devices, Rixson pivots, Securitron magnetic locks, motion sensors and power supplies and HID card readers are used throughout the facility to match the aesthetics of the building and achieve the desired levels of access control.



Door and hardware distributor S.A. Morman was influential in the selection of products and worked with the project architect to address the owner’s security concerns. With just over 2,000 openings, Metro Health Hospital required careful attention to the specification requirements for each doorway. “We felt that on a project of this size, we needed quality products with strong customer service,” said Julie Chicklon Project Manager for S.A. Morman. “In the end, both proved to be true and were key reasons why the job was successful.”

Because ASSA ABLOY offers all solutions needed for an opening, Chicklon said it is easier to integrate changes as a project progresses. “On this project, which encompassed better than a two year period, a significant amount of changes were implemented by the owner.  We were able to work closely with the owner and architect to meet their needs and create an access control system that offers both security and convenience.”