Traditionally, memory care facilities have used built-in shelving units displaying photographs and family mementos outside of the rooms as a wayfinding strategy to help direct residents to their rooms. While this is invaluable for this particular type of unit, the boxes themselves have presented some issues in the past. Resident’s loved ones usually provide the mementos, but in situations when families are not involved or a unit changes function, the boxes can be left empty. The architectural nature of these millwork features creates complications if the intended use of the space should change. Unit changes do not simply mean changing out a piece of art, but rather entails a costly removal and patching process of the memory box.

After building a new addition, one of their memory care units changed to a short-term rehabilitation unit. The hospital administration elected not to remove the recessed boxes due to the possibility that the care center may convert the space back into a memory care unit.

In the absence of an organized plan, the boxes became receptacles of an assortment of unrelated collection of objects. Director of Healthcare Design, Pam Rosenberg, devised a plan to create a unique theme for each box utilizing vintage and current collectibles presented in mixed media vignettes. The collectibles highlight topics of nostalgia and everyday life; from card games to sports, and even a ‘sundae shop’ themed box, all designs are intended to evoke positive memories and associations, and become a talking point for residents, prompting them to socialize and allowing them to connect as a community.

Boxes are not only visually interesting, they serve multiple functions within the space. Repurposing the boxes allows the facility to incorporate visual interest and overcome a budgetary challenge in a cost effective and creative manner. The design complements a space that can now easily be transitioned in case of a shift in use, and the interactive nature inspires residents to be more active as they walk and enjoy exploring the fun details hidden in each design.

A Local Stained Glass Artist’s Contribution to the Art Program at UTMB’s Jennie Sealy Hospital

Top, Right: Meditation Room at Jennie Sealy Hospital Top, Left: Close up of Artist’s Statement Plaque Bottom, Left: Meditation Room at Jennie Sealy Hospital

The primary goal for the art program at Jennie Sealy Hospital was to demonstrate the health system’s connection to the island community. H. Marion’s design team achieved this by means of a carefully curated local artist program utilizing local imagery and materials when possible.

For the meditation room the client requested a feature piece that would create a serene and peaceful atmosphere more spiritual than religious in interpretation, and peaceful and welcoming to whomever steps foot inside. After visiting many galleries and speaking with locals, our design team met with Houston native glass artist, Kim Clark Renteria. The resulting beautiful stained-glass window was commissioned to serve as a continuously evolving piece of art. While the stained glass itself is static, the ever-present play of migrating light from the lobby through the colored, textured panes creates a constantly shifting ethereal glow.

As discussed in the accompanying artist’s statement, Kim did a wonderful job to ensure the finished design embodies the spirit and personality of the island by including vintage plates and glass discs, drawing deep into the historic past of the island community. The soft natural colors of the island are represented in the carefully placed panes and flowing textures, conjuring up memories of sand and surf as they refract light into interesting patterns on the adjacent wall. Combined with the large-scale fluffy cloud wall covering illuminated by recessed lighting in the ceiling, this custom piece helps creates a truly peaceful, healing respite within the hospital.

Q & A with Kati Morrell, project designer for UTMB’s History Panels

H. Marion’s design team was tasked with creating a display that documents and celebrates UTMB’s legacy in the medical field and their 130-year commitment to the island’s residents. The result is a 7-panel history display wall featuring a carefully curated collection of historic imagery juxtaposed with a contemporary artistic interpretation of life on the island from many local photographers.

The ‘Patient Care’ description plaque

The ‘Patient Care’ panel and accompanying plaque

Q: What inspired the history panels created for UTMB’s Connector Services Wing?

A: While in the initial design phases of this project we recognized that this campus has a 125+ year history of serving the local and medical communities. Some notable accomplishments: they have been credited for curing the bubonic plague, continue their involvement with NASA, are a frontrunner in Zika, Ebola, and infectious disease care, and have survived multiple large hurricanes…and they are STILL a leader in healthcare.

We took this proud heritage and began the design process carefully curating then proposing seven different focuses for the walls: Research, Architecture, Medical School, Nursing, Patient Care, Health Professions, and Texas. The final design bridges the gap between the founding of UTMB and the present day with an engaging, thoughtful, history display.

Q: In your opinion, what role do these history panels play in the patient and visitor experience at UTMB?

A: I imagine that many of the patients and visitors will have different experiences; some will be from out of town, some local…some will be rushing across the campus to make an appointment, and others will be taking their time going to the cafeteria.  I like to think that no matter who walks past these historical displays and how much time they take to look at them or read the accompanying description plaques, that they will feel the connection between those photos and where they are standing.

Q: Other than aesthetically, how does a custom assembly like this add value to the project?

A: Aesthetic value and other interpretations of value are not mutually exclusive. While the photographic compositions are beautiful, we hope that the narrative this feature branding display creates offers an engaging, positive distraction for patients and visitors alike. The legacy of this health system not only greatly impacts the community, but continues to positively impact the medical field itself-this visual display makes the narrative of that legacy accessible to everyone.

The history wall also functions as a wayfinding landmark on UTMB’s expansive campus; simplifying navigation works towards the overall improvement of the patient experience as well.

Q: As a designer, what was your favorite part of the creative process?

A: I loved working in the archives and doing research about the significance of each photo.  At the Moody Medical Library we worked with the Manager of Library Services, Sarita Oertling, in the Truman G. Blocker History of Medicine Collections.  I could pull one photo out of thousands and she knew who the people were and the occasion of the photo at a quick glance. Sarita had the entire collection memorized!  I learned so much about Galveston and UTMB that I walked away when the project completed thinking “I could be a tour guide.”