Dignity Health Mercy Hospital Southwest - Thomas M. Hardt Tower Addition and Renovations

Increasing access to care and strengthening the long-term health of an entire community

Upon completion, this four-story, 106-bed tower will double the capacity of Dignity Health Mercy Southwest Campus. The new tower features a 64-bed med-surg unit, a 24-bed intensive care unit, 18 private neonatal intensive care rooms, expanded neurosurgery capabilities, and six additional operating rooms—critical resources that will strengthen care for Bakersfield and the greater Central Valley.

During the design process, multiple full-scale physical mock-ups were built so that end users could communicate how the design would affect their specific workflows. Designers used this information to create an efficient layout that benefits each client’s specific needs.

Upon entering the new lobby, patients see the public elevator core, the inviting surgery check-in area, and the new dining area. The surgical waiting room is located off the main lobby spine, which connects the new entry to the existing hospital. A new chapel and expanded gift shop is included in the existing lobby as part of the overall renovation. On each floor — and immediately visible from the public core — is a large waiting area filled with natural daylight and views to the main entry and healing gardens. Wayfinding is also improved by orienting the patient back to their arrival point.

Most importantly, the new tower gives the Bakersfield community a healing space that promotes health and wellness free of unnecessary fears or anxieties, such as inconvenient parking, confusing arrival points, and unclear wayfinding.

The Bed Tower Addition was designed in collaboration with Devenney Group.