A new healthcare clinic for the Englewood community provides primary care and behavioral health services as well as community meeting spaces for this rural area. Cherokee Health Systems brings a model of integrated behavioral and clinical care to many rural areas in East Tennessee. Through this model of service, they make patient centered care and environmental stewardship a priority.

The rural community offers a pastoral setting to this clinic and the design takes maximum advantage with ample views, optimal solar orientation/ shading and a sustainable geothermal heating and cooling system. The design is reminiscent of Cherokee’s corporate headquarters in the use of materials, detail and form, but offers an intimate scale.

A simple central spine diagram efficiently serves to organize function, natural light and circulation. All patient areas are flooded with natural light. Patient pods and clinic spaces surround a central staff core optimizing patient flow and staff efficiency.

This resourceful design with thoughtful detailing in combination with the excellent healthcare provided there mirrors their motto, “Together… Enhancing life” – or at least a trip to the doctor!