University of Oklahoma—Tulsa, Schusterman Center Campus

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Firm

Rees Associates, Inc.

Client

University of Oklahoma--Tulsa

Area

128,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$17,000,000

Completion Date

06/2007

The Schusterman Clinical Research Building is the first major construction project to the Tulsa-based University of Oklahoma campus since its acquisition. The building and associated parking structure are compatible with the existing character of campus while incorporating architectural references to the primary University of Oklahoma Campus in Norman.
The facility has 128,000 square feet of research space for the University of Oklahoma’s College of Medicine—Tulsa. The building is designed to accommodate various disciplines, including diabetes, pediatrics and community-outreach programs for psychiatric and chronically ill patients. Additional patient services include a pharmacy, imaging department and laboratory. An addition with a procedure center is under design.
The primary focal point of the facility is the grand three-story atrium. Encased by a sweeping outer glass wall, the atrium creates a sense of openness and a connection to the outdoors that is continued throughout the remainder of the clinic. To accommodate the large families of many of the patients, each clinic’s sub-waiting area opens onto a shared concourse that overlooks the open atrium area. The open, airy design of the Schusterman Center contributes directly to the bright and cheery interior environment.
Each department is broken into “patient pods” with dedicated spaces, including waiting, nurse stations, storage, exams, consultation/education rooms and other support services. Because of this design, the departments lose the “bus depot,” institutional feel that many teaching facilities have.