Elevating Mental Health Through Design

University of Louisville Pyschiatric Unit

University of Louisville Hospital is the region’s only specialty emergency room dedicated to the care, treatment and stabilization of patients with psychiatric disorders. To offer patients more privacy, more space and enhanced care, JRA Architects was asked to renovate the existing space, continuing our long-standing partnership with the hospital system.

Our design focused on providing a structured, comfortable and safe environment for the patients, their family members and the staff, while simultaneously creating a space that would maintain the patient’s dignity and encourage healing. The size of the unit was increased to nearly 14,000 square feet and included 20 patient rooms—10 general psychiatric rooms and 10 medical psychiatric rooms. To achieve a more calming environment, the renovation included large and small day rooms for group and individual therapy, featuring attributes of openness, natural light and prominent staff visual control. A skylight room was also introduced to serve as a special flex space for a variety of patient therapies.

Today, the UofL Psychiatric Unit is able to meet the region’s mental health needs through a more inviting facility that promotes progress and healing.