SUN Behavioral Health
NK Architects designed the SUN Behavioral Health and St. Elizabeth Healthcare behavioral health hospital to fill a critical need to help patients with mental illness and substance abuse disorders.
The 2-story facility includes 8 inpatient units and 197 beds for children, adolescents and adults. Each unit’s inpatient rooms, day rooms, exam rooms, consult rooms, support spaces and secure courtyards are arranged in a V-shaped wing that permits direct views to patient rooms from the nurses station. The nurses stations are designed with wide counters instead of full partitions, providing safety with dignity.
The V shape also creates a variety of social spaces, from intimate two-person settings at the narrow end to open areas where people can gather. Daylight emanates from group rooms that anchor each wing and connect to the outdoors.
Outpatient, ED, physical therapy, gym, dining, activity, training and outreach spaces are located in the 1st floor central core.
NK Architects is an integrated design firm with expertise in health care and education. Founded in 1972, NK Architects has offices in New Jersey, New York City and Philadelphia.
SUN Behavioral Health
Region: Region 3
Location: Erlanger, KY
Square Footage: 157,000
Completed: 2018
Firm: NK Architects