PROJECT  NAVA Health & Vitality Center

LOCATION  Washington, District of Columbia, 

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  8/1/2015

ARCHITECT  Steven Kahle Architects, Inc.

ASSOCIATED ARCHITECT  

OWNER/CLIENT  NAVA Health & Vitality

CONTRACTOR  Merritt Construction Services

PHOTOGRAPHER  Alain Jaramillo

DESIGN TEAM  Steven Kahle, Charles Roberts, Aaron Kramer

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT:

NAVA Health and Vitality Center (NAVA) was born out of the desire to bring the benefits of a holistic approach to wellness to patients in the DC metro and Baltimore areas. The health center design was developed to create the sense of a journey toward holistic wellness. The material pallet of natural elements; wood, water and stone, reflect NAVA’s natural approach to health. Upon entering the lobby, a narrowed passageway separates the reception area from the waiting room, symbolic of the beginning of the patient’s journey. Behind the water feature in the waiting room, patients walk along a path with a pebble stone floor and wood paneling that leads to the procedure rooms. The procedure rooms are tranquil spaces that offer patients and their practitioners a quiet space to discuss their individual wellness paths. The rooms are finished in calming colors, have comfortable furniture and are bathed in natural light whenever possible. Creating a natural, serene atmosphere in an urban setting is a challenge in itself; however, this particular site posed more challenges than normal. Located directly below the tenant space are a below grade parking garage as well as a dentist office. An air intake and exhaust shaft for the garage is located adjacent to the entrance to the health center and a considerable amount of infrastructure is located above the ceiling of the dentist office affecting the ability to layout equipment. Other obstacles included the acoustical issues created by the elevator bays, the garage entrance and a 1920’s man lift located next to and behind the treatment rooms. The design solution works around these existing systems and eliminates the acoustical nuisances to meet the client’s needs.

IMAGE CAPTIONS & CREDITS

IMAGE 1  NAVA_high res ext, “NAVA Entrance” by Alain Jaramillo

IMAGE 2  NAVA_high res int “View of Waiting Room from the Reception Area” by Alain Jaramillo

IMAGE 3  NAVA_img1 “Waiting Room” by Alain Jaramillo

IMAGE 4  NAVA_img2 “View of Reception Area from the Waiting Room” by Alain Jaramillo

IMAGE 5  NAVA_img3 “Corridor Leading To Patient Rooms” by Alain Jaramillo

IMAGE 6  NAVA_img4 “View of Water Feature in Waiting Room” by Alain Jaramillo

IMAGE 7  NAVA_img5 “Health Consulting Room” by Alain Jaramillo

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF