Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Rarely can an organization say that their building is the first of its kind. More often than not, new facilities draw inspiration from what has been done and not what is unknown. The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) is an exceptional example of a hospital that is redefining innovation, because it was designed to make a transformative difference in the way care and research coexist. It is reshaping the future of rehabilitation and revitalizing how discoveries are applied to advance human ability. The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the #1 destination for adults and children with the most complex and severe conditions – from brain and spinal cord injuries to stroke, cancer, and amputation. The 1.2-million-square-foot facility is the first-ever translational research hospital in which clinicians, innovators, scientists and technologists work together in shared spaces, surrounding patients, while discovering new advancements and applying (or translating) research in real-time. This unprecedented approach means that patients have 24/7 access to the brightest minds and latest discoveries, as well as the best opportunity for rehabilitation and recovery. Concepts integral to translational health drove planning and design. Here, research doesn’t just coexist with care; it is fully integrated into the clinical environment, engaging patients in the process. Technology, likewise, is embedded throughout the building. Clinicians and researchers measure every aspect of patients’ activities to mine data that will improve outcomes faster and enable these professionals to come upon and share new insights in real-time. Every inch of the building is care; every inch is research. ABILITY LABS The ability labs combine clinical care and research in a shared space to shorten the feedback loop, driving the discovery of new solutions to advance human ability. There are five of these applied research and therapeutic spaces, and each has a unique configuration based on a targeted function and the type of research taking place therein: Think + Speak Lab, Legs + Walking Lab, Arms + Hands Lab, Strength + Endurance Lab, and Pediatric Lab. The ability labs provide for active and visible “front stage” patient work with clinicians and researchers as well as private “back stage” space for analysis and planning. The Design Team prioritized concepts that would support a culture of hope, optimism and achievement, which were then incorporated into the designs of furniture and therapy equipment to bring the Client’s vision to fruition. USER EXPERIENCE Patients begin their transformational experience the moment they set foot in the lively and welcoming entrance at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Connecting patient elevators to the 10th Floor Sky Lobby is a suspended installation commissioned from artist Pae White, titled “Mistral”, that reinforces movement, transformation and the power of hope. Thoughtful spatial design converges with bold, motivational environmental graphics to support the hospital’s brand. Color climbs to a crescendo in the ability labs, differentiated by specialty and their respective graphics. Almost every environment – from gardens and public spaces to corridors and patient rooms – was designed to enhance therapy and encourage recovery. Design elements throughout the hospital play a vital role in patients’ therapy and recovery. For example, because patients are often lying on their backs, ceilings became a significant design opportunity. Curved walls allow for more natural and “frictionless” movement, especially for people with physical impairments. Access to natural light is maximized. The east and west corridors are punctuated by vistas with expressive graphics and offer spectacular views of Chicago and Lake Michigan. With an average stay of 24 days, the inpatient rooms were designed with care and comfort in mind. Visual access to restrooms and support facilities, along with sweeping views of the city, are oriented to encourage patients’ movement and progress. SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab worked with the design and construction teams to implement sustainability solutions, beginning with redeveloping a brownfield in a dense, urban neighborhood that is well-served by public transportation and easily accessed by both bicycles and motor vehicles. The building is equipped with energy-efficient air handling equipment, energy-saving lighting systems, and water-saving plumbing fixtures. Features such as façades that outperform energy code guidelines by minimizing air infiltration and low VOC furnishings help ensure a healthy building for employees, patients and visitors. In addition, the Design Team utilized a hybrid roofing system, fusing cool and green roof elements, for heat and moisture control. Extensive landscaping at the street level and throughout the upper floors provide garden access. These features not only promote patients in their rehabilitation but also have practical benefits, such as heat absorption on the roof and diversion of rainwater from entering city sewers. Sustainable construction practices also contributed to the success of the project. Little waste was created due to extensive recycling.