Baylor Scott & White Sports Therapy and Research at The Star
A first-of-its-kind collaboration between a major healthcare provider, an NFL team, and a local school district, the Baylor Scott & White Health Sports Therapy and Research complex needed an architecture that would support a whole new standard of sports medicine and rehabilitation services. It needed a design that would show visitors just how essential physical activity is to individual health, and to that of the entire community—a concept known as “population health.”
Our approach called for a creative convergence of design typologies—including healthcare, science and technology, sports and recreation, workplace, and branded environments—to create a seamless, “one-stop-shopping” experience for patients seeking care and recovery. Through design convergence, we were able to showcase the link between active lifestyles and well-being: at nearly every turn, the science of athleticism and sports medicine is on display, leaving visitors feeling inspired to get moving for their health.
The nine-story building is broken into two distinct volumes, visually sliced by a soaring plane that cantilevers out to the south. The design emphasizes connectivity to the master plan, and glazed façades allow visibility into the building, as well as views to the outdoor surroundings for a feeling of revitalization and rejuvenation.
From a retractable glass façade that opens to an indoor/outdoor football field to a light-filled strength training room surrounded by glass walls, the new complex puts human health and sports performance on public display. The transparency of the glass that is used throughout the facility showcases the human body in motion, creating a “living brand” experience that celebrates athleticism and physical fitness.
One of the biggest design challenges we faced was honoring the distinct identities of two major North Texas brand players without creating visual chaos. An example of this is seen in the entrance, where visitors are greeted by a sculpture of geometric shapes suspended from the lobby ceiling. Symbolizing fluidity of movement and the building blocks of the physically fit body, the organization of these seemingly disparate shapes appears arbitrary at first—but upon closer examination, they visually coalesce to form the Baylor Scott & White Health logo.
The complex enables visitors to experience the full spectrum of physical performance all in one place—from injury prevention and training to healing and recovery. Strategic adjacencies, such as locating the physical therapy suite within the sports performance center, allow for sharing of equipment and support space. These relationships approach programming and planning in an innovative way and allow for square footage maximization.
—Joel Allison, former CEO of Baylor Scott & White Health
