Alaska Clinic
Phase I of a healthcare development serving the Athabascan population living around Wasilla, Alaska, the building’s concept supports an innovative clinical model of healthcare delivery while celebrating the Alaskan landscape and the culture of its people. The flexible four cluster clinical program is organized in a pinwheel, with integrated care teams (shared staff open offices) oriented outward in each of the four cardinal directions, ensuring staff access to the scarce winter light and mountain views in all directions.
The four cluster clinic is elevated to the second level, while supporting functions; pharmacy, audiology/eye care, administration, rehabilitation and facilities management provide its base. Overhanging the first floor on all sides, the upper floor creates a covered drop-off area to the west, an exterior gathering space to the south, a flexible rehabilitation terrace to the east and a covered service area to the north. In addition, the minimum 8’ overhang allows the use of Alaskan Cedar cladding at this level, a native material important to the tribe, in a place that is both highly visible and practical for long term maintenance.
Three strategic “holes” are punched into the building to provide access to both light and air. These voids provide natural wayfinding for the 90,000 gsf facility and serve to celebrate both the community and its culture. The layered experience of interior and exterior spaces belies a 32’x32’ moment framed structure which provides a flexible armature for future clinic operations.
