The UC Davis Medical Center California Tower in Sacramento, California, has been designed with a unique approach that combines the local geographical environment and artistic elements. This not only ensures patients receive the high - quality medical services they are accustomed to but also significantly improves the spatial experience and the sense of welcome within the facility.
The 14 - story hospital and the five - story pavilion are part of a project that aims to fulfill the University of California, Davis' commitment to collaborating with the community to improve lives and transform healthcare. Set in a complex that has served the Sacramento area for nearly 150 years, the project's organizational concept is centered around the "confluence" idea. This concept highlights the region's diversity and the two rivers that shape the city's unique topography, which is reflected in various aspects, from the building's location, orientation, and facade design to the interior layout of public and private spaces.
The tower houses patient room units, integrated surgical and diagnostic platforms, a Level I trauma emergency department, clinical laboratories, and graduate medical education spaces. The adjacent pavilion contains staff and public facilities, along with additional clinical functions. By replacing a large surface parking lot, the building layout maximizes land use. The subtle curvature of the building mass complements the Sacramento street grid, integrating well into the surrounding urban environment. Moreover, a local artist was commissioned to create a ten - story environmental art installation on the curved east and west facades of the tower, using unique glass colors and patterns inspired by the region's diversity.
