VISION
To Advance Human Ability. RIC will serve as the world’s leading scientific hospital for the innovation and application of new and more promising treatments that improve and eliminate the effects of injury, disease and debilitating health conditions.
MISSION
The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) is dedicated to providing the highest-quality patient care through integrated research, scientific discovery, and education for the purpose of maximizing the recovery of the individuals in our care.
Utility Value
Functional Efficiency
1) To optimize travel distances/times for a given sequence of circulation
a) By efficiently organizing spaces (horizontally and vertically) and avoiding the crossing over and interruption of major circulation
paths.
2) To enhance the quality of care
a) By avoiding medical errors and reducing patient recovery time
i) By providing same-handed patient rooms
3) To enhance collaboration between different fields
a) By providing well defined spaces, appropriate to the program, while maintaining interaction between them
Environmental Comfort
1) To enhance the patient’s experience
a) By maximizing view range for different patient perspectives and viewing angles
b) By maintaining a comfortable environment, within comfortable ranges of temperature, humidity, and air speed
c) By maximizing the wavelength range of natural lighting through passive and active methodologies
2) To avoid contamination of fresh air by HAIs (Hospital Acquired Infections) by all means
a) By the appropriate zoning of HVAC systems
b) By promoting hand-washing
c) By the efficient removal of soiled linens
d) By using sustainable and non-VOC/anti-microbial material finishes
Safety and Protection
1) To ensure adequate fire safety/means of egress according to NFPA standards
2) To maintain function during extreme conditions
a) By backing up power systems to maintain data and equipment functionality
3) To provide adequate security
Usability
1) To provide an instinctive circulation flow
a) By organizing spaces and architectural elements logically
b) By making the arrival-entrance-departure sequence for various users clear and efficient
2) To enhance human interaction with others or the building
a) By providing touch points
i) A mural, an indoor plant, the reception desk, etc.
3) To allow highly-disabled patients to begin reclaiming their independence
a) By exceeding ADA standards
b) By investigating specific movement concerns of typical patients
4) To maintain accuracy of medical instruments
a) By reducing vibration and drift
i) By prescribing appropriate structural systems
Aesthetic Value
1) To develop a design which successfully communicates the purpose of the building
a) By selecting appropriate materials for the interior and exterior surfaces
b) By reflecting interior activity and operations on the outside
c) By developing a design which is in harmony with its surrounding and which blends with other buildings in the neighborhood
d) By increasing transparency on all levels
2) To enhance and stimulate sensory experiences
a) By providing visual connections from the hospital to the surrounding landscape
b) By incorporating spaces in the building design that promote interactions with other human beings and nature
c) By creating a comfortable and relaxed environment for patients and visitors
d) By promoting the use of different sensory adjustments
i) Variation of materials, geometries, views, and auditory conditions
Constructability
1) To avoid unnecessary interference to current neighborhood conditions
2) To promote efficient and cost-sensitive design
a) By utilizing innovative technology in the building design at levels appropriate for the project
b) By adopting construction friendly design approaches as a part of the building design
c) By using intuitive structural, MEP, and cladding systems
Meronic Value
1) To design an iconic building which will provide value to the neighborhood
2) To enliven Erie street (and adjacent streets)
a) By improving the conditions and relationships between vegetation, street, and pedestrian sidewalks
b) By creating a public promenade at street level
3) To provide a node within the healthcare community that serves as an incubator for innovation and a crucible for researchers and the medical professionals
4) To attract worldwide attention and collaboration in advancing human ability
5) To provide affordable accommodations for visiting family members
Investment Value
1) To enhance the investment returns of the organization
a) By efficient design, construction, and operation for the benefit of the patient
b) By designing for phased occupancy
c) By creating revenue generating rental spaces, such as restaurants, retail shops, conference rooms, parking, entrepreneurial office spaces, and pharmacies
2) To attract funding and donations
a) By making the Ability Lab the epitome of cutting edge technology in translational medicine which, in turn, attracts funding based on marketability and global awareness.
b) Through well-designed facilities, excellent patient care and research, and commitment to advancing human ability
c) By patenting research and medical product developments
d) By creating a donor recognition space
3) To promote internship/residency programs
Social Responsiveness
1) To ensure that the hospital responds and evolves to the needs of the community
a) By providing a no turn-away policy for underprivileged patients
b) By providing the best healthcare and research quality to patients and thus the community
c) By organizing public outreach programs
d) By providing spaces for public health announcements that are easily accessible to visitors and patients
2) To encourage continuing education among doctors, researchers and staff
a) By creating a dynamic conference center/educational space within the building
b) By designing spaces that promote learning and knowledge sharing
3) To create a sustainable healthcare environment
Preservation of Designed Value
1) To be adaptable for future expansion and program change
a) By designing structure and systems for expansion, without the disruption of ongoing operations
2) To continue functioning with minimal operation and maintenance costs
a) By using durable, long-lasting, and environmentally-conscious material choices
b) By avoiding overrunning the mechanical systems
i) By locating spaces of similar HVAC loading patterns together
c) By choosing materials and construction methods that ensure efficient maintenance and repair
To Advance Human Ability. RIC will serve as the world’s leading scientific hospital for the innovation and application of new and more promising treatments that improve and eliminate the effects of injury, disease and debilitating health conditions.
MISSION
The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) is dedicated to providing the highest-quality patient care through integrated research, scientific discovery, and education for the purpose of maximizing the recovery of the individuals in our care.
Utility Value
Functional Efficiency
1) To optimize travel distances/times for a given sequence of circulation
a) By efficiently organizing spaces (horizontally and vertically) and avoiding the crossing over and interruption of major circulation
paths.
2) To enhance the quality of care
a) By avoiding medical errors and reducing patient recovery time
i) By providing same-handed patient rooms
3) To enhance collaboration between different fields
a) By providing well defined spaces, appropriate to the program, while maintaining interaction between them
Environmental Comfort
1) To enhance the patient’s experience
a) By maximizing view range for different patient perspectives and viewing angles
b) By maintaining a comfortable environment, within comfortable ranges of temperature, humidity, and air speed
c) By maximizing the wavelength range of natural lighting through passive and active methodologies
2) To avoid contamination of fresh air by HAIs (Hospital Acquired Infections) by all means
a) By the appropriate zoning of HVAC systems
b) By promoting hand-washing
c) By the efficient removal of soiled linens
d) By using sustainable and non-VOC/anti-microbial material finishes
Safety and Protection
1) To ensure adequate fire safety/means of egress according to NFPA standards
2) To maintain function during extreme conditions
a) By backing up power systems to maintain data and equipment functionality
3) To provide adequate security
Usability
1) To provide an instinctive circulation flow
a) By organizing spaces and architectural elements logically
b) By making the arrival-entrance-departure sequence for various users clear and efficient
2) To enhance human interaction with others or the building
a) By providing touch points
i) A mural, an indoor plant, the reception desk, etc.
3) To allow highly-disabled patients to begin reclaiming their independence
a) By exceeding ADA standards
b) By investigating specific movement concerns of typical patients
4) To maintain accuracy of medical instruments
a) By reducing vibration and drift
i) By prescribing appropriate structural systems
Aesthetic Value
1) To develop a design which successfully communicates the purpose of the building
a) By selecting appropriate materials for the interior and exterior surfaces
b) By reflecting interior activity and operations on the outside
c) By developing a design which is in harmony with its surrounding and which blends with other buildings in the neighborhood
d) By increasing transparency on all levels
2) To enhance and stimulate sensory experiences
a) By providing visual connections from the hospital to the surrounding landscape
b) By incorporating spaces in the building design that promote interactions with other human beings and nature
c) By creating a comfortable and relaxed environment for patients and visitors
d) By promoting the use of different sensory adjustments
i) Variation of materials, geometries, views, and auditory conditions
Constructability
1) To avoid unnecessary interference to current neighborhood conditions
2) To promote efficient and cost-sensitive design
a) By utilizing innovative technology in the building design at levels appropriate for the project
b) By adopting construction friendly design approaches as a part of the building design
c) By using intuitive structural, MEP, and cladding systems
Meronic Value
1) To design an iconic building which will provide value to the neighborhood
2) To enliven Erie street (and adjacent streets)
a) By improving the conditions and relationships between vegetation, street, and pedestrian sidewalks
b) By creating a public promenade at street level
3) To provide a node within the healthcare community that serves as an incubator for innovation and a crucible for researchers and the medical professionals
4) To attract worldwide attention and collaboration in advancing human ability
5) To provide affordable accommodations for visiting family members
Investment Value
1) To enhance the investment returns of the organization
a) By efficient design, construction, and operation for the benefit of the patient
b) By designing for phased occupancy
c) By creating revenue generating rental spaces, such as restaurants, retail shops, conference rooms, parking, entrepreneurial office spaces, and pharmacies
2) To attract funding and donations
a) By making the Ability Lab the epitome of cutting edge technology in translational medicine which, in turn, attracts funding based on marketability and global awareness.
b) Through well-designed facilities, excellent patient care and research, and commitment to advancing human ability
c) By patenting research and medical product developments
d) By creating a donor recognition space
3) To promote internship/residency programs
Social Responsiveness
1) To ensure that the hospital responds and evolves to the needs of the community
a) By providing a no turn-away policy for underprivileged patients
b) By providing the best healthcare and research quality to patients and thus the community
c) By organizing public outreach programs
d) By providing spaces for public health announcements that are easily accessible to visitors and patients
2) To encourage continuing education among doctors, researchers and staff
a) By creating a dynamic conference center/educational space within the building
b) By designing spaces that promote learning and knowledge sharing
3) To create a sustainable healthcare environment
Preservation of Designed Value
1) To be adaptable for future expansion and program change
a) By designing structure and systems for expansion, without the disruption of ongoing operations
2) To continue functioning with minimal operation and maintenance costs
a) By using durable, long-lasting, and environmentally-conscious material choices
b) By avoiding overrunning the mechanical systems
i) By locating spaces of similar HVAC loading patterns together
c) By choosing materials and construction methods that ensure efficient maintenance and repair