As the only freestanding emergency department (FSED) in Daytona Beach, Halifax Health’s newly opened Hand Avenue FSED delivers rapid, board-certified emergency care with minimal wait times and enhanced neighborhood accessibility. Envisioned and brought to life by leading architecture and design firm FCA, the new facility demonstrates the Orlando team’s capabilities and reflects Halifax Health’s high clinical standards.

Positioned conveniently at a major community intersection, the 26-room facility features a welcoming pediatric and family waiting area alongside a dedicated triage suite, on-site CT and X-ray imaging, and a full-service laboratory. From early phasing, the project required a unique approach to navigating local regulations, including height limits, non-traditional window-to-wall ratios, and mandatory facade articulation every fifteen feet. FCA worked closely with city and county officials to maintain compliance while ensuring the building remained functional and visually cohesive with the surrounding area.

Inside the space, natural light was a major design priority. Nearly all patient rooms receive direct access to daylight. FCA also integrated clerestory windows above interior doors, allowing light to penetrate further into the building’s core. This strategy works not only to enhance comfort and healing but also to further improve general visibility, wayfinding, and the overall patient experience.

Completed in 2025, the new Daytona Beach FSED on Hand Avenue demonstrates FCA’s ability to deliver community-centered healthcare projects in tightly regulated areas without compromising functionality or patient experience. The result is an emergency care destination that expands access to high-quality treatment for residents of Daytona Beach and the surrounding communities.

Design: FCA
Photography: courtesy of FCA