Architect: Cannon Design

The expansion of the Emergency Department for Mercy Hospital on Abbot Road in south Buffalo allowed for two very dynamic spaces to take shape.

The main entry of the hospital needed to be redeveloped to accommodate the eight foot of grade change from the city sidewalk to the emergency room entrance. A new drop-off loop was developed to accommodate up to ten vehicles.

The main pedestrian entry took advantage of the grade change by using decorative stone walls that compliment the new building materials, to balance soil elevation and to create a unique experience for the user. The walls provide a practical solution to a severe grading challenge, but also allow the development of a garden at the highest point of the entry that provides the interior waiting area with a viewing garden and a visual screen from passers by. A sloping walk from the sidewalk slips between site walls with built-in decorative lighting to a plaza space with bench seating. We felt this area was important to the emergency room users by providing an area that was more private than the main waiting area to make necessary phone calls, as well as a place to “get some air” while you wait. Often waiting times can be lengthy, small children may be with you, or you may just need a place to get away. With the area’s proximity to the main door, users can quickly return if needed. The area uses natural stone pavers, wood benches, native plantings and various lighting elements and levels. The plants throughout the entry area were selected to reinforce the architectural statement of the building addition and materials by providing long linear lines of textures and heights with a variety of seasonal interest while considering maintenance issues.

The structure of the Emergency Department provides for an interior courtyard area adjacent to the main ED waiting area. The design of this space provides those waiting inside, as well as hospital staff and doctors to take a “visual break” from the traumatic events that surround an emergency room. The courtyard again plays off the architectural detailing by providing long linear lines of textures and most notably, heights. Here the lines of textures include decorative stone walls similar to the front entry, as well as a large slab of distinctly patterned natural stone. The illusion of lawn is provided at the edge of the glass wall enclosing the courtyard. This artificial turf is an example of using a contemporary material in a beautiful way to visually invite you to step down into the courtyard for a moment of calm. Large boulders are set in a sea of pebbles, invoking a traditional Japanese garden. The natural daylight in the courtyard is limited, dictating the types and locations for all the plants in this garden. A contemplative space would not be complete without a water element and the design of the courtyard meets this challenge by once again tricking the eye. A simple stream is created by alluding to the idea of water through the use of tumbled glass chips in various shades of blue, with lighting from below.

The affect is a calming, tranquil garden for the eyes.