Lankenau Hospital, Walter and Leonore Annenberg Conference Center for Medical Education

Wynnewood, Pennsylvania

Firm

EwingCole

Client

Lankenau Hospital/Main Line Health

Area

39,800 sq.ft.

Completion Date

04/2005

Lankenau Hospital has been recognized nationally as one of the top 50 metropolitan hospitals. To maintain its mission as a premier teaching hospital, it needed a contemporary facility for collaboration.
The new Walter and Leonore Annenberg Conference Center for Medical Education propels Lankenau Hospital’s graduate and continuing-education programs for more than 1,200 associated physicians into the 21st century.
The conference center’s location strengthens the overall massing and internal circulation on campus. The design employs natural light and views to gardens and wooded landscapes to create a unique, collaborative and inviting work setting for visitors and employees. The final piece to the center’s design was the renovation of an auditorium in a connecting, adjacent building.
The center is organized on three levels, each devoted to a primary function: medical library, offices and conference center. Each level has its own terrace that overlooks a grand atrium. The predominant feature of the atrium is a large, three-story glass window wall.
On the upper and middle levels, multiple conference and meeting venues accommodate a variety of programs and seating configurations, and include integrated technology access for computers and audiovisual equipment. With access to natural light and views, circulation spaces near these rooms are oversized to accommodate breakout functions. In an effort to promote spontaneous and planned social interface at the center, the architectural elements in these spaces are aided by built-in furniture such as benches along the circulation spine and display cases along the monumental stair.
The library is situated centrally on the ground floor of the center. The first-floor architecture is integrated by the extension of the garden outside. Reading rooms, computers and study corrals serve students and staff.
The main conference auditorium, housed in an existing, adjoining building, was redesigned to reflect the new building’s design philosophy.

“Well-suited to available site and space.”–2006 jury