36,000 Square Feet

Colorado’s newest in-patient hos­pice center has been cleverly disguised as a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired dwelling where sick/ elderly can spend their last days with their families comfortably ensconced in a peaceful setting.

The Client did not want the care center to look like an institutional medical office. The Client also wanted it to fit in with the nearby Victorian structure, which serves as a hospice-run coffeehouse.

Blythe Group + co. made it happen by burrowing part of the facility into a hillside so it appears to be a single story from the front. We minimized its size with pillars, dormer windows, high and low gables, and a multi-leveled roof line.

The Client wanted every square foot to feel homey. The challenge was making the decor beautiful while still meeting hospital code: Fabrics must be fire-retardant. Wood is limited to 10 percent of any wall. Floors in patient rooms must be vinyl. Each Patient room is a little different. They all have wood-look floors with inlaid patterns. They have pale lemon-colored linens, puffy comforters, and chocolate-colored throws. Each room also has different fabrics in built-in headboards, furniture, and pillows.