Elks Children's Eye Clinic

Elks Children’s Eye Clinic

The Oregon Elks Children’s Eye Clinic is a “site for the senses” on Oregon Health & Science University’s Marquam Hill campus. Designed to be user-friendly for people with visual impairment and inviting for children and families, the sloped site provides key accessible routes for the entire lower part of the OHSU campus. Tucked into the hillside, the 65,000 sf five-story clinic is connected by a skybridge to the Casey Eye Institute on the east and by switchback pathways to a future hospital expansion on the west.

Mayer/Reed designed the clinic’s entry plaza and sensory garden to welcome visitors with an array of ornamental and native plants selected for their scents, rustling sounds and color throughout the seasons. A textured feature wall punctuates the garden with multi-colored glass creating special identity for the clinic and appealing to people with both low vision and full sight. A future path will wind up the hill through the gardens, providing fully accessible connections. A café courtyard provides a shady outdoor respite especially geared toward people who are sensitive to light.

Owner: OHSU / Casey Eye Institute

Architect: NBBJ

General Contractor: Skanska

Glass Fabrication: Bullseye Studio

Photography & Plan View: Mayer/Reed

Rendering: NBBJ

The Oregon Elks Children’s Eye Clinic is a “site for the senses” on Oregon Health & Science University’s Marquam Hill campus. Designed to be user-friendly for people with visual impairment and inviting for children and families, the sloped site provides key accessible routes for the entire lower part of the OHSU campus. Tucked into the hillside, the 65,000 sf five-story clinic is connected by a skybridge to the Casey Eye Institute on the east and by switchback pathways to a future hospital expansion on the west.

Mayer/Reed designed the clinic’s entry plaza and sensory garden to welcome visitors with an array of ornamental and native plants selected for their scents, rustling sounds and color throughout the seasons. A textured feature wall punctuates the garden with multi-colored glass creating special identity for the clinic and appealing to people with both low vision and full sight. A future path will wind up the hill through the gardens, providing fully accessible connections. A café courtyard provides a shady outdoor respite especially geared toward people who are sensitive to light.

Owner

Elks Children’s Eye Clinic Portland, OR

Services

Landscape Architecture

Sustainable Features

Native plants & wildlife habitat
Stormwater treatment & bioswales

Awards

Design Excellence Award, Portland Design Commission, 2019