David Wakely

Blighted Los Angeles hospital rebuilt after challenging history

New Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital rebranded with humane and welcoming design


Los Angeles' Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center was regarded as the worst in the city, according to an article on the Contract magazine website. Seven years and $280 million later, it was reborn as the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital (MLKCH).

“We needed to rebrand the institution, so we asked the architects to create a hospital that could just as easily be in Beverly Hills, and would match the best in the county,” said Andy Moey, capital projects program manager for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.

With transparent facades and naturally lit public spaces, MLKCH is a model of humane and welcoming design, the article said. Bold signage, in both English and Spanish, assists in wayfinding, and natural light in corridors helps to reduce the institutional feel. 

Thermally efficient glazing and abundant natural light, recycled and renewable materials, highly efficient mechanical systems, and low-flow plumbing fixtures contribute to a high level of sustainability, according to the article. 

Read the article.

 

 



October 30, 2014


Topic Area: Architecture


Recent Posts

Mature Dry Surface Biofilm Presents a Problem for Candida Auris

Multiple methods are described in the literature, but no consensus has been reached for disinfection efficacy tests against biofilms.


Sutter Health's Arden Care Center Officially Opens

With an adaptive reuse of an underutilized office building, the 70,000 square-foot facility was renovated to meet current healthcare standards.


Insight Hospital and Medical Center Falls to Data Breach

The investigation determined that an unauthorized individual accessed the network between August 22, 2025, and September 11, 2025.


The High Cost of Healthcare Violence

As workplace violence increases, healthcare facilities face mounting financial and operational disruptions- prompting legislative action.


EVS Teams Can Improve Patient Experience in Emergency Departments

A report confirmed that cleanliness of the ED was the third most impactful element on patient experience surveys.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.