Anne and Michael Armstrong Medical Education Building: A New Era in Medical Education at Johns Hopkins University
Introduction
The Anne and Michael Armstrong Medical Education Building at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine embodies a revolutionary approach to medical education. This 110,000-square-foot, 4-level building is designed to support the "Genes to Society" curriculum, a program that integrates evidence-based science with patient-centered clinical care. The building represents a significant investment in the future of medical education, providing state-of-the-art facilities for students to learn and collaborate.
General Information and Project Team
The Anne and Michael Armstrong Medical Education Building, completed between June 2007 and June 2009, encompasses 110,000 square feet across four levels. The project employed a design-bid-build delivery method. Key members of the project team included:
- Owner: Johns Hopkins University
- Architect: Ballinger
- Structural Engineer: Rummell Klepper & Kahl
- MEP Engineer: Ross Infrastructure
- Lighting Designer: The Lighting Practice
- Contractor: Barton Malow Company
Site Analysis and Context
The building is situated on the Johns Hopkins East Baltimore medical campus, adjacent to the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center. A site analysis reveals the surrounding context:
- To the north, the site faces the Cooley Center.
- An existing 10-story residence hall is located 30 feet from the site.
- An 8-story Diagnostic testing and outpatient surgery center stands 90 feet away.
- 6-story parking garages are situated 75 feet from the site.
- A multi-story Fitness Facility is located 25 feet from the site.
Exterior Façade and Landscape
The exterior façade of the Anne and Michael Armstrong Medical Education Building incorporates a modern aesthetic, utilizing materials such as aluminum and green-tinted glass in a curtain wall system, complemented by cast stone. The building's height is approximately 80 feet. The design emphasizes a welcoming first impression, with a visual procession leading to the entrance. Thoughtful exterior lighting enhances the building's appearance, particularly in the south elevation view, creating a warm invitation.
Design Concepts:
- The Face: Creating a strong first impression.
- Warm Invitation: Welcoming visitors and occupants.
- Visual Procession to Entrance: Guiding movement and creating anticipation.
Design Issues:
- Light pollution.
- Campus Security.
- Glare.
Central Atrium: The Heart of the Building
The central atrium serves as the primary circulation space, designed to connect the entire building and foster a sense of community. It is conceived as the "heart" of the building, a source of life and energy. The atrium features a radial layout with recessed downlighting, dimming, and scene controls to optimize daylighting. Ambient cove lighting surrounds drop-down radial wood panel acoustical ceilings.
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Design Concepts:
- The Heart: The central point of connection.
- Source of Life: Providing energy and vitality.
- Primary Circulation Space: Facilitating movement and interaction.
Design Issues:
- Daylighting.
- Glare.
- Visual clarity.
The atrium's design incorporates the concept of "genesis," symbolizing origin, beginning, and source.
Auditorium: A Versatile Learning Environment
The auditorium provides a large classroom space designed for flexibility and adaptability. The design focuses on creating a pleasant learning environment with visual clarity and excellent acoustics. The auditorium is designed to adapt from one use to another easily.
Design Concepts:
- The Skin: Enclosing and protecting the learning space.
- Versatility: Adaptable to various uses.
Design Issues:
- Pleasant learning environment.
- Visual clarity.
- Acoustics.
Anatomy Lab: Advanced Facilities for Medical Training
The building houses an advanced anatomy lab, equipped with state-of-the-art technology to enhance the learning experience. This lab, along with digital classrooms and laboratories, lecture halls, and study areas, prepares future physicians for understanding the relevance of science to patient care.
Genes to Society Curriculum
The Anne and Michael Armstrong Medical Education Building is specifically designed to support the "Genes to Society" curriculum. This curriculum emphasizes a systems approach to understanding the human being, from the molecular level to the societal and environmental factors that influence health. It utilizes advanced teaching technologies and collaborative learning methods to provide a comprehensive medical education. The curriculum builds on the fundamental insights learned during the past several decades through the study of molecular biology. With this new knowledge, and within this beautiful new building, students will begin by studying the basic building blocks of life and progress through higher and higher levels of organization and complexity.
A New Revolution in Medical Education
The Anne and Michael Armstrong Medical Education Building at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine represents a new chapter in medical education. By integrating innovative design with a cutting-edge curriculum, the building provides an environment that fosters collaboration, critical thinking, and a deep understanding of the complexities of human health. The building's advanced anatomy lab, digital classrooms and laboratories, lecture halls and study areas will better prepare physicians for fully understanding the relevance of science to patient care.
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Armstrong's Contribution
The 100,000-square-foot building is named in honor of Anne and Mike Armstrong, whose generous donation helped fund its construction. Mike Armstrong is the chair of the boards of Johns Hopkins Medicine, The Johns Hopkins Health System Corporation, and The Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Integration of Wood Elements
The new UCSD Telemedicine & Medical Education Building is a state-of-the-art training facility. Nearly 28,000 square feet of WOODWORKS custom ceilings and custom walls in a Cherry finish from Armstrong were installed in the center’s auditorium and computer learning center. All the panels incorporate a custom perforation for acoustical purposes. In areas where sound reflection is desired, the perforations only go half way through the panel. SOM architect Tim Waters explains that the design team and client selected wood ceilings and walls for the auditorium to impart a feeling of warmth and intimacy. The ceiling is a sloped, stepped ceiling with five different elevations from front to back. In terms of aesthetics, he notes both the ceiling and wall panel joints are staggered to create a more interesting modular pattern.
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