Scheduled to open in early 2025, Fair Haven Community Health Care (FHCHC) in Fair Haven, Connecticut, will integrate health care and wellness services under one roof to address population health and create a vibrant community center.
The project team conducted bilingual community listening sessions to gather feedback from community stakeholders about the program as well as the appearance of the building.
The result is a 35,560-square-foot health, education and community services building that reflects the character and needs of its neighborhood.
Bill Wolpert, E4H Environments for Healthcare Architecture (Head credit: E4H Environments for Healthcare Architecture)
Here, associate Bill Wolpert, senior project manager for E4H Environments for Healthcare Architecture (Burlington, Vermont), talks about how to achieve the project’s goals and how health centers can support culturally diverse communities.
What unmet needs in the community does this project aim to address?
Fair Haven residents include a significant population of new citizens and non-citizens who experience the common struggles of lower income, food insecurity, lack of affordable housing, and job instability. These factors contribute to higher rates of preventable diseases and substance abuse than neighboring wealthier communities; and COVID-19 exacerbated these challenges.
Our goal with this facility is to create a safe and healthy building that provides culturally sensitive access to medical and behavioral health care while also serving as a community center.
How did that goal drive the planning and design of the new health center?
Programming focuses on providing tools to community members to improve their health and well-being. A fresh food “pharmacy” and teaching kitchen are designed to address food insecurity and provide nutrition education. Shared community spaces support programs such as job training and digital health literacy.
The building’s design reflects the vernacular of the neighborhood and the façade includes space for artwork or murals, further integrating the building with the community.
Additionally, biophilic design elements, including a pocket park and rooftop terraces, connect building users to nature, which is linked to better health.
How did community input help guide the design of the project?
The client and design team conducted bilingual community listening sessions to gather feedback from community stakeholders about the program as well as the appearance of the building.
In response to the need to maintain vital community resources, a ground-floor retail pharmacy was added to the facility. Additionally, the facade walls are designed to display local artwork, serving as an opportunity to reflect the character of the neighborhood.
What is the biggest challenge in addressing population health through facility design?
Understand and coordinate stakeholder dynamics. Community health centers are a resource for many health, educational, cultural and community organizations.
Planning for flexibility in use and allowing many voices to be heard brings new insights and creativity.
How is demand for holistic health and wellness services shaping the industry?
We are witnessing increased demand for community health centers that provide a “one-stop shop” to address educational, wellness, and physical and mental health needs.
Not only is this model gaining popularity in underserved communities where there are limitations to access to care and transportation, but it is also well suited for growing culturally diverse communities.
For a first look at this project, go here.
Anne DiNardo is editor-in-chief of Sanitary design. You can contact her at anne.dinardo@emeraldx.com.
