Total Infusion is the newest addition to Eastmont Town Center, providing underserved communities with equitable access to healthcare. MWA has been designing spaces for Eastmont Town Center for 20 years, partnering with them in their mission to bring people to a centralized location where they can receive healthcare and mental and physical services.
Working closely with the client, MWA created a custom design sensitive to patient needs and healthcare provider success.
“When we starting working at Eastmont Town Center, it was a failed retail mall. Over the years, we have been part of the revitalization of the Center becoming a thriving center for various social services.”
– Carlton Smith
HISTORY OF THE EASTMONT TOWN CENTER
The Eastmont Town Center is in the heart of Alameda County in Oakland, CA. A once prominent shopping center in the 1970s and 80s, The Eastmont Mall declined as the 1990s recession caused income levels to drop. Urban renewal in the Bay Area triggered disinvestment that targeted low-income communities and people of color, directly affecting the success of the Eastmont Mall.
A drastic revitalization effort in the early 2000s brought new life to the Center. Engaged early in the process by the developer, MWA designed several projects for Alameda County and City of Oakland agencies. Within the Center, MWA designed the Alameda County Self Sufficiency Center, Adult, and Aging Services, Behavioral Health Care and Child Protective Services, the Nathan E. Miley Senior Housing Project, the City of Oakland Police Department Eastmont Substation, and most recently, the Total Infusion Center.
The success of the adaptive reuse of this once failing mall demonstrates that with forward-thinking, a thriving community resource can emerge and serve in a new capacity for another generation.
DESIGNING CALM AND COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENTS FOR PATIENTS AND STAFF
Understanding that infusion can be a stressful time, MWA strove to design a soothing and comfortable environment that puts patients at ease. Energy-efficient LED dimmable lighting, open and clean sightlines, and semi-private treatment spaces all work together to create a peaceful atmosphere. The permeability of these spaces enables staff to provide better care for patients by observing them from multiple vantage points.
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
Reusing an existing facility is one of the most impactful sustainability measures in the built environment. Throughout the renovation, designers prioritized using products with a high content of recycled materials and added skylights to maximize natural daylighting and reduce energy use.
MWA designed an efficient layout that considers the resources that patients and staff need. Spaces include a reception area, exam room, treatment space, clean utility room, office, and an employee break room. The Total Infusion Center is an asset to the community, providing a calming environment where people can access the treatment they need and deserve.
