Nursing Home Design Guide
2006
8. Offices on Units
When clusters are only service oriented,
Staff preferences differ with regard to
natural light and living amenities are
whether licensed staff and others
compromised, and the advantages of
require on-unit offices and/or access to
small groups of residents go unfulfilled.
private consulting rooms. Assigned
When clusters are only architectural
office space is contingent upon the unit
forms or places for social gathering,
size and function. Increasingly, when
they may add to circulation space, while
nursing administration is located
increasing both construction and staffing
elsewhere, one office or room is made
costs without necessary health support.
available for counseling, clergy, or as a
Refer to Section 2.3 Perception and
quiet work room for physicians or
Interiors for more information regarding
consultants. (See Figure 3.25) Units
interiors.
that focus design on open staff stations,
open team centers, and cluster alcoves
are likely to benefit from at least one
closed area, assigned, shared, or used
as needed.
Figure 3.26
End Windows and Clerestory or Skylight
Garden House II Alzheimer's Care, Weinberg
Figure 3.25
Campus, Buffalo, NY
All Purpose Staff Work Room/Library
Jewish Home of San Francisco
3.4.5 Systems Considerations
3.4.4 Interior Considerations
The first requirement of communication
systems on a unit is that they help staff
1. Natural Light and Casual Gatherings
respond to residents and staff requests
Natural light and casual gathering space
for assistance. The second important
may facilitate staff care. Methods of
requirement is that they monitor fire
introducing natural light include
alarm systems, exits and systems for
clerestories, well-places, windows and a
other devices such as wandering, falls
"J" style arrangement of rooms. (See
and oxygen.
Figure 3.26).
1. Performance Requirements for
In some pod designs, the center
Communications and Low Voltage
gathering space is almost entirely
Systems
interior space, lacking daylight or views.
Office of Facilities Management
3 - 39
Previous Page
