HOK’s interior design of the Oregon State Hospital in Junction City, Oregon, won an award of merit in the “Heal” category of the International Interior Design Association’s Northern California Chapter Honor Awards 2016.

The annual awards competition ”aims to encourage new ideas and techniques in the design and furnishing of interior spaces.”

The new 219,000-sq.-ft. Oregon State Hospital is located on a 92-acre greenfield site south of Junction City amidst agricultural vegetation, pastures and wetlands. The program for this psychiatric hospital encompasses 174 beds to accommodate both civil and forensic adult patients. In addition to housing units, the facility maintains space for treatment, administration and support services.

The interior design is based on a vision of the “journey of recovery,” creating healing, organic and light-filled spaces. A layered design approach embraces the healing power of nature by providing visual connections to the outdoors and use of colors found in the surrounding landscape. Color gradation throughout the facility, featuring soft, calm colors in the private patient areas and invigorating, empowering colors in treatment and public spaces, helps define the building program while providing clear wayfinding.

Designed by a regional artist, a 30-foot by 10-foot glass etched window wall in the main entry is a poignant reminder and dedication to the hospital’s mission and the journey of the patients. Titled “Wall of Words,” the glass features large-scale inscriptions of patients’ poems, statements and memories. The intent is to provide inspiration, calm, encouragement, optimism and affirmation to help visitors overcome what often can be a difficult experience.