COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 22, 2012 – Recognizing strong opportunity to expand healthcare architecture services from Central Ohio to regional, national and international markets, M+A Architects and KMA Design Partners, LLC have joined forces with the creation of K|M+A Healthcare Studio.

With KMA/DP’s breadth and depth of experience in a wide range of healthcare architecture facilities and project types, enhanced by M+A’s market edge, strong architectural resources and complimentary services lines, K|M+A Healthcare Studio anticipates expanding services to healthcare systems and providers in Central Ohio and beyond, as they adapt to continually changing market conditions, healthcare consumer expectations, trends towards heightened patient acuity, constant evolution in medical technology, and an increasing interest in wellness.

K|M+A Healthcare Studio has been organized as an internal division of M+A Architects, with KMA/DP founding principal P’Elizabeth Koelker joining M+A as Partner and Healthcare Studio Director, according to M+A Architects’ Partner John Eymann. “This move allows both companies to grow more efficiently while effectively serving our existing and new clients in the healthcare industry.  Growth and diversification was a goal of each of our companies, and we believe we complement each other well in those pursuits,” notes Eymann.

“Combining forces with M+A allows us to focus on our healthcare design expertise, supported by the relationships, depth of construction knowledge and business resources of one of the most respected full-service architecture firms in Central Ohio,” says Koelker. “We are particularly pleased to be teaming with a firm who is nationally recognized for designing large scale mixed-use developments, has a strong focus on environmentally responsible design and a diverse portfolio of work and clients, all of which we see dovetailing well with the future of healthcare architecture.”

K|M+A Healthcare Studio anticipates expanding service both to long term clients such as OhioHealth and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and to other regional and national health systems with which they have existing relationships, including hospitals in Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania. K|M+A focuses on acute-care and design-sensitive project types, including emergency departments, oncology centers, inpatient suites, diagnostic and treatment areas, cardiac care spaces, women & children’s and pediatric facilities, and public areas in healthcare settings.  Please visit www.kma-hcstudio.com to find out more.

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, KMA Design Partners’ current projects include the Bing Cancer Center at Riverside Methodist Hospital, renovations for the School of Nursing at The Ohio State University, and the OhioHealth Advanced Heart and Vascular Center.  Future projects will be undertaken within M+A, as K|M+A Healthcare Studio.

Founded in 1980 and also headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, M+A Architects is an award-winning full-service architecture firm, employing more than 45 professionals. Notable projects include Easton Town Center in Columbus, Ohio; Ronald McDonald House in Columbus, Ohio; St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church in Gahanna, Ohio; and the Bob Evans Corporate Headquarters in New Albany, Ohio.  Please visit www.ma-architects.com  for more information.

May 16th, 2012 was a time for celebrations and smiles at the OSU Rardin Family Practice Center, as their major renovation was unveiled and re-opened to the public.  As with many healthcare facilities these days, the Rardin found itself with extra space for paper files, and not enough room for people and computers in its ever-expanding primary care practice.

K|M+A designers found a way to accommodate the many needs of this busy clinic, with style to boot.  Using unconventional forms and a variety of durable materials and a rich color scheme, we were able to create welcoming space and efficient patient flow both into and out of the clinic, with patients always moving forward and conflicts in patient traffic minimized.  Add to that a friendly presentation and ample waiting space, and you have the new and improved Rardin Family Practice Center!

The Bing Cancer Center at Riverside Methodist Hospital is set to open coming soon in the fall of 2012.  Designed around a theme of rebirth, spring and rejuvenation, “the Bing” will provide a single source for coordinated cancer care for OhioHealth oncology patients.

Renovations to the existing Riverside Health Center to transform it into the Bing Cancer Center include the creation of a patient welcome center which will house special supportive services, the “Over My Head” boutique and a cafe, new patient registration areas, infusion clinic, integrated medicine suite, multidisciplinary clinic, conference facilities and a meditation space, all surrounding a newly renovated atrium that will include a new fountain and patient and family respite space.

Following a year-long planning effort, construction is set to commence for renovations to the College of Nursing at The Ohio State University in June of 2012.

Renovations are meant to provide improved space for student interaction and an upgraded presentation for the College, and will include a re-organized lobby complete with upgraded lighting and acoustics, new finishes and new furnishings.  Access to technology will be improved and study space will be enlarged and made more supportive of a variety of student study habits and preferences.

The West Side Family Health Center accomplished something truly great – saving a community treasure in Fire Station #17, and creating a state-of-the-art community health care center for the residents of Columbus Hilltop and Franklinton neighborhoods.

Originally slated for demolition or major re-configuration, Fire Station #17 instead turned out to be pivotal to the success of this LEED Silver Certified project, as its high-bay space was tranformed into a combined waiting area and community gathering space.

This dedicated effort on the part of the City of Columbus is to be commended as a great example of historic architecture re-imagined to serve a completely new use.

The West Side Family Health Center site was originally planned by K/M+A Healthcare Studio partner P’Elizabeth Koelker, and its execution 5 years later in partnership with DesignGroup was nearly identical to the original plan.  Now in operation for several years, the West Side Family Health Center stands as exemplary evidence of what can be done when great planning, great design and great City leadership come together for a great purpose.  Rock on!