Danbury Hospital

Danbury Hospital, a leading healthcare facility and university teaching hospital in Southwestern Connecticut, built a new 300,000 sq ft tower—the Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Pavilion—the largest expansion in its history. This project sparked a transformation in both the hospital itself and its mission to foster an environment of patient-centered care. The expansion increased the hospital’s size by 33% without having to change the campus boundaries and included the new Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Emergency Department, a critical care unit and a state-of-the art neonatal ICU. Through a community fundraising effort called, “Imagine, Build, Transform”, the hospital raised over $70 million from more than 8,000 individual personal donations.

Creating an oasis.

One of the main design tenets was creating an oasis within the hospital—both literally and figuratively—for patients, caregivers, staff and visitors. To create the physical oasis, Danbury Hospital worked with SLAM to design the healing garden, a quiet and restorative area outside of the front entrance of the hospital. They moved the Anna Maria and Stephen Kellen Emergency Department entrance away from this main entry not only to reduce vehicular traffic, but also to encourage a calming atmosphere for patient check-in. Adjacent to the entrance, the Goldstone Caregiver Center and hospital café serve as areas of respite for families, friends and visitors, where they can recharge and relax. Incorporating a blend of soft lounge seating with a variety of more intimate settings, including tables and chairs, provides more discretion for quiet and sensitive conversations.

Improving care through private patient rooms.

Improving care means putting more of a focus back on the patient. By converting all patient rooms to single-bed, private rooms, patients receive more personal care while reducing the chance for the spread of disease. Every room has ample exposure to natural light, and includes a recliner, guest chairs, side and occasional tables and an over-bed table.

From the redesigned main entrance with its peaceful gardens and unique Goldstone Caregiver Center, to the individual patient rooms with views of the cityscape, the Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Pavilion at Danbury Hospital promotes a restorative and healthy atmosphere focused on healing.