In August 2016, University Crossing Skilled Nursing Facility, part of the main Brooks Rehabilitation campus in Jacksonville, Fla., opened its doors to patients. Pond was the Co-Designer and Design Project Manager for the facility. Chris Kaye, representing Pond as the co-architect/designer of the project, was in attendance at the opening of the facility.
University Crossing was designed to be a state-of-the-art, active healthcare setting with an innovative design approach which embraces the culture change model for dignified care of the elderly in skilled nursing facilities.
The 111-bed facility will treat both patients with short-term rehabilitation needs (average length of stay approx. 20-25 days), as well as those needing long-term care services (average length of stay 250+ days). The conditions treated within this facility primarily involve patients suffering a physical impairment such as stroke, hip fracture, neurological disorder and other orthopedic injuries that require rehabilitation services. In addition to the patient rooms, located on each of its three floors are a living room, therapy gym, activity space and a dining room.
The design of the facility addresses the aging process and the specific needs of the elderly, promoting maximum independence and minimizing the impact of sensory loss while embracing the culture change design philosophy. In addition, the design embraces the desire to create a hospitality environment for patients to stimulate mental well-being as well as promote security and privacy.
Pond is honored to have been part of the team to help realize this wonderful contribution for residents of the Brooks Rehabilitation Health System in the Jacksonville community.