Creating a behavioral health environment where safety and dignity work together
Market
Healthcare
Key Services
Construction
Preconstruction
Self-Perform
Strategic Partnerships
Delivery Method
Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR)Capacity
33,500 SFThe challenge
SSM Health needed to transform the fifth floor of Bordley Tower into a modern inpatient behavioral health unit serving a vulnerable and underserved population. The project required complete demolition and reconstruction of the existing hospital floor, with construction beginning while portions of the space were still being designed.
Behavioral health environments require an especially careful balance. The unit needed to provide clear visibility, controlled circulation and durable safety features without creating an institutional atmosphere that could work against patient dignity and recovery.
Key Facts
Inpatient treatment capacity of 42 beds
Four self-contained care pods
33,500 SF behavioral health renovation
Challenge met
Alberici worked closely with SSM Health clinicians and Lawrence Group to incorporate input from the staff who would operate the unit. This collaboration allowed demolition to begin while design continued, helping the team address safety, visibility and circulation needs as plans developed.
The completed unit organizes patient rooms into four care pods supported by safety-focused nurse stations, staff workspaces and nourishment areas. Laminated safety glass and carefully planned sightlines minimize blind spots, while quiet rooms, consultation spaces and flexible day and dining areas accommodate different care needs.
Indirect lighting, soft forms and nature-inspired graphics create a calming, less institutional environment without compromising behavioral health safety requirements. SSM Health reported that the facility was delivered on budget and earlier than expected.
Recent Projects
Steven & Susan Lipstein BJC Institute of Health (BJCIH) Vertical Expansion
Mercy Center for Performance Medicine & Specialty Care
