JRJ Architects designed the Providence Newberg Medical Plaza to fulfill the need for more outpatient care in Newberg, Oregon.

Oregon’s Providence Health & Services opened the nation’s first Gold LEED certified hospital in Newberg, Oregon in 2006, which created strong growth in patient volume sparking the desire and need to provide additional outpatient on-campus services. As a result, the 3-story, 64,000 sf Providence Newberg Medical Plaza was envisioned.

Led by Portland-based JRJ Architects, the team had two key design objectives. First, a desire to retain but update the well-known Providence ‘brick brand identifier’ which was achieved by incorporating metal curtain walls and generous windows for a fresher, more modern aesthetic. Although to architecturally connect the new Plaza to the existing hospital and any future new buildings, the team also incorporated the ‘brick brand’ primarily to the back side. Secondly, a request to preserve the sweeping views of the Willamette Valley that hospital patients and staff were enjoying. In addition to impacting the design of the new building, the connecting pathway, along with the Cancer Center and Cardiac Rehab spaces, all required view preservation as a top priority. The generous use of wood, glass and steel design features helped light and natural elements come deeper into the building.

Keeping in the forefront the overreaching goal of designing interior spaces to maximize efficiency of care while also providing healing views of nature, the comprehensive internal patient clinics and services included family medicine, internal medicine, therapy, cardiac rehab, labs, cancer center, pharmacy, food services and conference center.

Working with Portland-based Bainbridge, all interior design elements closely followed Providence’s well-established standards reflecting their strong Pacific Northwest brand. The team focused on the selection of materials to create meaningful transitions to help identify the patient zones such as check-in and waiting rooms. A custom wood slat ceiling pattern was also installed at the main entry and carried throughout each clinic area. This same linear wood element was also pulled down the face of each elevator elevation to distinguish the main circulation and create consistent wayfinding.

Upon completion, the new building brought several departments that were once off site onto campus and gave Providence the ability to provide more integrated and enhanced services to Newberg and the surrounding communities they serve.

In January 2020 the City of Newberg selected the Providence Medical Plaza for their Community Enhancement Awards noting the impact the new Plaza has made on the community.

Architect: JRJ Architects
Contractor: Fortis
Photography: Pete Eckert