Wesley Rehabilitation Center

Project Statement

The Wesley Rehabilitation Center is a 41-bed, 49,072 SF facility that addresses a critical shortage of inpatient rehabilitative care in the region, providing patients access to high-quality services closer to home. More than a place for treatment, the center redefines recovery through a holistic model of care that unites clinical efficiency with environments designed to support physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

The design vision was shaped by the belief that healing happens everywhere—not only in patient rooms or therapy gyms, but in the everyday spaces between. Organized around a central healing courtyard, the building places wellness and connection at its heart. Patient wings, therapy areas, and communal spaces all open to this restorative landscape, where varied walking surfaces, integrated therapy elements, and sheltered seating provide opportunities for treatment, respite, and social interaction throughout the year.

Every aspect of the design seeks to balance clinical performance with human experience. Clear circulation and centralized nurse stations promote visibility and efficiency for staff, while dining spaces, lounges, and quiet alcoves foster community, comfort, and dignity for patients and families. Generous daylighting, views to nature, and a calm material palette reduce stress and create an uplifting atmosphere that encourages progress in recovery.

The building’s form and materials are carefully scaled to respect its residential surroundings, using a brick base and subdued tones that reflect the nearby neighborhood and medical campus. Yet its identity is distinctly modern, conveying a sense of openness, transparency, and welcome.

At every scale, the architecture is an active partner in rehabilitation. Light-filled corridors encourage movement, outdoor therapy spaces connect patients with nature, and shared spaces cultivate human connection. Together, these elements ensure that healing is not confined to specific rooms or moments of therapy, but is continuously supported throughout the environment.

The Wesley Rehabilitation Center ultimately represents a deeply human vision of healthcare design, a place where architecture fosters recovery, connection, and renewal. It is more than a hospital; it is a setting where patients, families, and caregivers experience a collective journey of healing with dignity, empowerment, and hope.

Framework for Design Excellence Narrative

**Design for Integration**

The Wesley Rehabilitation Center was designed with an integrated approach that views healing as a seamless process, where every space and interaction contributes to recovery. Reflecting the AIA principle of unifying people, systems, and place, the central courtyard connects patient wings, therapy areas, and communal spaces, while light-filled corridors, intuitive wayfinding, and inviting spaces foster comfort, community, and belonging throughout the facility.

 

**Design for Well-being**

Conceived as a restorative environment, the project supports physical, mental, and emotional health in line with AIA guidance to promote human well-being. Natural light, views to the healing courtyard, and access to nature reinforce stress reduction and therapeutic movement. Thoughtful circulation, shared spaces, and areas for reflection cultivate comfort, dignity, and empowerment, creating an environment where care is elevated through architecture and daily life is enriched for patients, staff, and visitors alike.

 

**Design for Equitable Communities**

Aligned with the AIA principle of fostering belonging, the facility encourages connection and inclusion at multiple scales. Shared lounges, dining, and therapy paths support interaction between patients, families, and staff, while the building’s scale, materials, and approachable form ensure it is welcoming and contextually appropriate. By providing accessible, high-quality inpatient rehabilitation closer to home, the center promotes equity, dignity, and connection for the broader community.