Running the Survey

The existing South Central Kansas Regional Medical Center in Arkansas City had served its purpose well for more than 50 years. However, her age was beginning to show. Out of compliance with many of today’s code requirements and unable to adapt to today’s changing medical technology, it was time for a replacement.  Arkansas City looked to Hutton Construction to provide the design build expertise to make its vision for a new healthcare environment come to life. The result is a design aesthetic fit for the Kansas prairie with the perfect blend of style and Midwest economy.

Laying the Foundation

Thanks to an accelerated – phased – construction schedule, construction was able to start prior to design completion. That was achievable in part due to Hutton Construction’s ability to provide early cost certainty.  Design meetings were held routinely with each department. Suggested changes were made “on the fly” so team members could review and approve design changes on the spot. A proper relationship between departments was of utmost importance to physicians and staff along with allowing for future growth and adaptability to new technology.

The Finishing Touches

Built on 13 acres of a 168-acre parcel donated for the project, the resulting facility is “prairie style,” fitting for an open prairie environment. Final landscaping uses a mixed native turf and plantings with a low maintenance landscape. Like an outcropping in the local Flint Hills, a natural stone “spine wall” leads visitors into the main lobby and atrium with high windows that allow natural light to shine in. The spine wall continues, leading visitors to a large central waiting room that can serve outpatient surgery, radiology, lab and inpatient care. Finishes were selected to provide a natural healing environment. This is most evident in the family birthing suites.

The final product is a perfect representation of the benefits of design build principles applied to a healthcare project. Through continuous commitment to established goals and vision utilizing a teamwork approach, a perfect blend of design quality and functionality was created.