Environmental Responsibility
Committed to integrating principles of sustainability in all its work, the team made every effort to design and build an environmentally responsible project. Green building components range from optimizing the energy efficiency of mechanical systems, conducting analyses of daylight and thermal energy, and installing bioswales on the property to manage stormwater and collect runoff. Specification of products prioritized renewable resources and non-toxic materials, especially indoors.
For example, 90 percent of the flooring is from carbon-neutral manufacturers, and the curvilinear, noise-attenuating baffles in the waiting room and “Main Street” corridor are composed of recycled felt and water bottles. Of course, on a macro level, the real commitment to sustainability is exemplified in the reuse of an existing building, representing considerable untapped embodied energy and a greatly reduced carbon footprint when compared to new construction.
Adapting this building has successfully consolidated all of YCSC’s operations under one roof for the first time since it began serving children and their families in 1911. Approximately 225 people work in the new facility, including physicians, psychologists, social workers, pediatricians and support staff. Intensive outpatient services are located on the first floor. The bulk of patient care and family support spaces previously described are on the second floor. On the third, administrative and research offices enjoy easy access to the employee breakroom, conference rooms and other amenities in spaces designed to continue the nature themes.
Welcome to the Child Study Center
Walking through the completed facility, the commitment to human-centered and biophilic design is evident, as is YCSC’s mission of promoting behavioral wellness. According to Linda C. Mayes, M.D., who is the Arnold Gesell Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Psychology, and chair of the YCSC, the transformation of 350 George will have a significant positive impact in part because of the impression and image of the space on the community served. Referring to reports of the excited look on children’s faces when they arrive, Mayes says: “That’s why we did it. I feel that’s what makes it worthwhile. The beauty of the place fosters a feeling of respect and appreciation. It feels welcoming and caring, instead of traditionally medical and institutional.”
Mayes also expresses appreciation for having one facility for all operations and services. “Previously, our families had to come to different sites, which often created confusion,” she explains. “It also meant that clinicians and scholars had fewer opportunities to interact with and learn from one another. Now, we’re giving patients just one door to come through, and bringing all team members together in one space fosters and enhances collaboration. Plus, we now have room for growth.”
As an added benefit, the project is said by local residents and business owners to have contributed to revitalizing this particular corner of New Haven. Since opening in October 2019, YCSC’s new home not only offers a user-friendly behavioral health-care experience for clients and their families, it has become a space “equal in quality to the services provided.” What’s more, it has created a home for greater New Haven’s child behavioral health-care community.
PHOTOS: WOODRUFF/BROWN ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY, COURTESY SVIGALS + PARTNERS
Retrofit Team
CLIENT: Yale Child Study Center (Yale Medicine, Yale-New Haven Health)
ARCHITECT AND INTERIOR DESIGNER: Svigals + Partners
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Standard Builders
MEP CONSULTANT: AHA
ART CONSULTANT: Art for Healing Environments LLC
Materials
LVT FLOORING: Native Fabric by Interface
WALLCOVERING: Sanfoot wood veneer from Jacaranda
HALL CEILINGS: TURF (acoustic baffles)
WAITING ROOM CEILINGS: Pinta Acoustic (baffles)
FURNITURE: Community Playthings; Kimball; Steelcase;
and National
MILLWORK: Legere Woodworking
PLUMBING FIXTURES: Kohler and Elkay
DECORATIVE LIGHTING: SPI Lighting and Focal Point
VARIABLE AIR VOLUME SYSTEM: ENVIRO-TEC
WINDOWS: EFCO and C.R. Laurence Co. Inc.
APPLIANCES: GE Appliances