BPA Architecture & Design

Habitat Saturday

Early Saturday morning, on November 5, 12 of BPA's brightest architects & designers headed down to Center Point, AL to give a day of construction labor to Habitat for Humanity.  By the end of the day, our group, along with members of the Habitat team & other volunteers,  succeeded in installing the front door, attic access door,  in wall blocking,  rigid insulation work,  cross bracing on the trusses and most of the vinyl siding on the Johnson family house.  Starbucks coffee & a special Krispy Kreme drop off kept the team running.  This year, no casualties and lots of good memories.  Way to go team!

Health Care Design Trend: The Hybrid O.R.

In today's technology-infused health care environment, our hospital clients are constantly looking to improve care models and procedures. One area in particular that we see an exciting trend is the Hybrid Operation Room

What is a Hybrid O.R?

In simple terms, it is the integration of advanced diagnostic imaging equipment with an operating room, in order to accomplish several goals: decrease the invasiveness of procedures, decrease recovery times, decrease the risk of infection to patients, and provide better overall surgical outcomes.

What Disciplines/Procedures are driving this change?

Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Neurosurgery, Electrophysiology, Interventional Cardiology, Interventional Radiology, Peditraic Intervention

Where is the room located?

Hybrid ORs, because of their operating room requirements, are best located within Surgical Suites. Here, the infrastructure for sterile processing, HVAC systems, support, and prep/recovery, are already in place. Diagnostic Suites and Cath Labs would carry additional complications because they typically do not have OR infrastructure capabilities.

What are Physical Plant Implications?

Room layout: location of imaging equipment in relation to lighting, surgical table, anesthesia, equipment/gas booms, and other ancillary equipment

Room X-Ray Shielding

Room Size: 1,000+ sf

Computer Equipment Room

Imaging Control Room

What are the Advantages?

Minimally invasive procedures are possible: multiple and/or open incisions are replaced with smaller/fewer incisions. A reduction in recovery time and reduction in risks of infection are a result.

Allows different specialists to work side-by-side on a particular case

Allows surgeons to follow a diagnostic procedure with a surgical one

Some condtions that may have once required multiple procedures can be addressed in one session

 

There are many issues to consider when planning a Hybrid Operating Room, but it is an exciting evolution in how patients will be treated. Here are links with additional information:

Planning a hybrid operating room

Hybrid operating rooms pull double duty at hospitals

We took a little "fall break" on posts, but have returned. Be on the watch for several updates in the next few days.

This past week, several of our interior designers & graduate architects donated their crafty skills to design a pumpkin for the Ronald McDonald house. Firms around Birmingham got together on Wednesday to vote on the best designs. BPA walked away with "Best in Show" for our pumpkin named Witch Hazel. Dekalb Office hosted the event and delivered all the pumpkins to the Ronald McDonald House for a fall treat.

 

Holly's Homemade

 

For the past few years, one of BPA's administrative assistants and "Office Mom", Holly Stringfellow, has filled her time away from the office by baking tray upon tray of what we think are the south's finest pita chips.  What started out as a weekend hobby has quickly developed into a thriving side business for Holly.  As the holiday season approaches, you can find Holly and her delicious garlic pita chips (as well as her unbelieveable secret recipe chocolate sauce) at local gift fairs and holiday markets.  This Saturday, October 1st, from 9am - 5pm, you can find Holly at the Handmade Show: 115 Riveria Road in Homewood, AL.  To place an order, give her a call at 205.531.6947 or send an email to hollyshomemade1(at)gmail(dot)com.

Credits: labels and logo design by BPA's Alicia Pughsley

Leeds Folk Festival

The fourth-annual Leeds Downtown Folk Festival is this weekend, September 17 & 18.  The festival includes a juried art show, live music, outdoor crafts for kids, an antique car show, a farmers market, food and more!  BPA's own Ashley Campbell will be one of the featured artisans, exhibiting her photography and original stationery.

Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept 17, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18. Admission and parking are free.  For more info, visit: http://www.leedsfolkfestival.com/

Photo credits: leedsfolkfestival.com

IIDA presents 'hamaCon 2011

Inspired by Neocon, the Alabama Chapter of the IIDA is hosting the second annual 'hamaCon trade show at the BJCC on Thursday, September 22nd. The event will feature over 50 exhibitors, door prizes, CEUs and will offer a great opportunity to discover innovative products and resources for corporate, hospitality, healthcare, retail, government, institutional, and residential interiors. Pre-register at: www. iida-al.com. Members and Non-Members enter for FREE with pre-registration. Registration is $10 on the day of the event.

Photo Credits: Alabama Chapter IIDA

Eastern Trails of Red Mountain Park Set to Open This Fall

The Eastern trail system of Red Mountain Park is set to open to the public later this fall. The new portion, which includes over 10 miles of trails and roughly half the park's acreage, will be open seven days a week. While the next phase of the park will remain closed for construction, in the future it will be home to even more trails and exciting guest amenities. The Friends of Red Mountain Park are currently helping the park staff install trail markers and guideposts, and construction of a parking lot is underway. An opening date for the Eastern trails will be announced in the next month or so. Be sure to watch for lots of great events surrounding the opening!

(click to enlarge map)

Photo Credits: mygreenbirmingham.com

St. Clair Replacement Hospital Four Months Out

 

For the last two years BPA has been involved in a replacement hospital for St. Vincent’s St. Clair in Pell City, AL.  The project replaces an existing facility that was originally built with funds allocated through the Hill-Burton Act of 1946.  While the facility has been maintained over the years, emerging technologies and modern patient-care models necessitate a new facility. 

With just a few months remaining in construction, the building shell has taken shape while the interior spaces are beginning to receive final finishes.  We’ll periodically update the blog with progress photos so stay tuned!

Facility Program Specs:

40 patient beds inclusive of a 6 unit ICU

Full Diagnostic Department (MRI, Radiography, Radio / Fluoroscopy, CT, Nuclear Camera, Bone Density, Mammo, Ultrasound)

3 OR Suite with dedicated Endoscopy procedure room

Ancillary admin and support spaces

 Photo credits: 1)  aerophoto.com

2011 Birmingham Heart Walk

The 2011 Birmingham Heart Walk took place this past Saturday and the event was a huge success, only partly because of the funds BPA helped raise.  The true value of Heart Walk was reflected in the faces of those who walked to remember a loved one, those who committed to living a healthier lifestyle that day, and those who stepped up their commitment to build a better community. The American Heart Association’s mission is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.  For more information, please visit: www.heart.org

 Photo credits: 1)  Maria Glaser

JCDH New West Groundbreaking Ceremony

This past Tuesday we attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Jefferson County Department of Health New West health center in Midfield, Alabama.  BPA's Tom Kidwell (pictured at far right) will lead the design.  The new 60,000 sq. ft. facility will include a pediatric clinic, WIC, maternity clinic, adult health clinic, family planning, dental clinic, eye care clinic, and a pharmacy. This exciting project will further expand the reach of the JCDH's top notch healthcare services in the Birmingham community.

Photo credits: 1)  Lydia Thomson 2) Birchfield Penuel & Assoc.