Page 87 - Designing Ways 260

Esperanza Health

Center

Chicago, United States

speranza Health Centres is a community health system
whose mission is to promote healthy lifestyles and improve
Ehealth status through the provision of high-quality care and
wellness services. Emphasising prevention and education, services
are provided by a bilingual and culturally diverse staff dedicated
to overcoming the barriers faced by underserved communities.
Esperanza—meaning hope in Spanish—is living up to its name.

Esperanza envisions a world where community residents will be
served regardless of immigration status, race, ethnicity, income, or
insurance coverage, and will be able to realise their full potential
through optimum health. Therefore, this new facility materialises the
client’s mission and vision.

Understanding that health is a combination of physical, mental,
and spiritual balance, the new Esperanza Health Center focuses on
creating spaces for healing and wholeness. It is the building that this
community needs to heal, flourish, and feel supported.

JGMA designed a fully accessible building that is a contemporary
community health centre, providing critical services that are currently
lacking in this southwest area of Chicago. By teaming up with local
speciality care and community-based organisations, the new facility
will house comprehensive healthcare services, and utilises forward-
thinking design to attract and unite the surrounding community.

The brownfield site was transformed from an unyielding concrete
slab into a new clinic with outdoor walking and community garden
Photo credit: Maria Monteagudo, JGMA

Photo credit: Maria Monteagudo, JGMA

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