O2 DESIGN
AWARD YEAR | 2020
ENTRY CATEGORY | General Design
LOCATION | Lake Forest, IL
The campus design is inspired by the institution’s mission to provide a sustainable setting that promotes health and wellness for its’ patients, visitors and staff. Taking full advantage of the site’s potential, the campus design used grading and storm water management of the 300 acre site to define a rich arboretum-like setting that places the hospital seamlessly into the rich landscape. Using the natural fall of the site and strategies for sustainable storm water collection, we placed the hospital on a two level 12 acre reclaimed pond/wetland. The hospitals main floor level and boardwalk are located slightly above the upper level pond and becomes the orienting device for the hospitals circulation system. The lower pond acts as the main storm water basin/wetland for the entire 300 acres of the site. The 13’ elevation difference in the two ponds is defined by a 500’ long weir wall which provides by gravity a natural aeration device keeping the health of both ponds vital and productive. The weir wall activates the east side of the site by creating a soothing sound of a water fall attracting patients who observe, contemplate and listen to this unique site feature. The result of this bold design move created a interesting symbiotic relationship between architecture and nature, resulting in a setting that spatially manifests the hospital’s mission of health and wellness in to the built environment.
