Step Exhibitions
Virginia Department of General Services, New Central State Hospital
Nominee Information
Central State Hospital was the first mental health institution serving people of color in the United States, but its now-dated, sprawling campus of existing buildings could no longer support recovery-based care. The new 471,000-GSF single-building facility serves civil, forensic, and maximum-security clients in an environment that prioritizes their safety, dignity, wellness, and recovery. The facility’s numerous design features and innovations create a state-of-the-art healing environment for patient recovery.
This 252-bed facility – with future expansion capability to 300 beds – is designed as two distinct hospitals in one: a civil/forensic and a maximum-security facility. Physically attached but never connected, the two environments are tailored to the needs of each population. The formation of the basketweave, zig-zag treatment area creates secure enclosed courtyards without the need for fencing. Inside are two treatment malls and five program communities – an innovative approach to treatment that forms a bridge between the living unit and the full treatment mall in patient care.
On the periphery, back-to-back living units reduce dedicated support space and range from 15 to 28 beds based on acuity and medical complexity. Despite the combined footprint, mechanical systems allow for one virus isolation unit on each side. The living units are sited east, to give the patients the best views of the natural landscape, and administrative and support functions are sited west. Above the single-story hospital, enclosed systems access reduces site fencing and maintenance interruptions to the therapeutic milieu.
Wherever possible, the design achieves parity between patient and staff spaces by using the same forms, materials, and/or design language are used. The main reception desk uses the same materials and visual cues as the treatment mall and living unit desks, which are designed as open secure staff stations to reduce stress and aggression. These welcoming, friendly, open control points are designed to reduce patient climbing, minimize cone of observation, and free up personnel to focus their resources on delivering patient care.
Access to nature is a priority for both patients and staff. The facility features multiple staff courtyards, observable unescorted patient courtyards at each living unit, and additional patient courtyards accessed from the program communities or treatment malls. Further, the shape of the building helps maximize natural light and nature views, while natural and nature-mimicking materials and biophilic elements are found in the board-formed exterior concrete, the interior material palette, and the environmental graphic design. Natural light is supplemented with tunable lighting in the dayrooms to support patients’ circadian rhythms.
Adjacent to these courtyards in the lobby, living units, and treatment malls are double-height common rooms with ample glazing that create a warm, friendly environment for patients and visitors alike. These welcoming “front porches” bring social events and a parklike atmosphere to the facility. Sitting at these porches, one can take in the hope and value of the work done in this facility that seeks to serve many future diverse generations of Virginians.