Kaiser Fremont Acute Medical Psychiatric Unit

Kaiser’s First Acute Medical Psychiatric Unit

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  • client

    Kaiser Permanente

  • location

    Fremont, CA

  • size

    11,600 SF

  • sustainability

    LEED Gold

TEF converted a medical-surgical unit at Kaiser Fremont into the health system’s first Acute Medical Psychiatric Unit. The pilot project paired a partial renovation with a modest addition to establish a new model of secure inpatient care and a precedent for behavioral health treatment within an acute medical environment.

Restorative Design for Behavioral Health 

Landscaped hospital courtyard with curved wood walls, a sculptural stone artwork, and a clinician standing near the entrance.
Medication room with blue accent walls and upholstered seating, where a patient sits quietly while a clinician walks through the adjacent healthcare corridor.
Clinical observation room with a staff workstation, interior viewing window, security cameras, and a padded platform in the adjacent patient space.
Hospital patient room with a bed, built-in storage, and two clinicians reviewing the room’s equipment and layout.
The new Medical Psychiatric Unit project provides secure, restorative, inpatient care for acute behavioral health patients.

Pioneering a New Model of Care

Designed for behavioral health patients with medical needs beyond the scope of a typical outpatient unit, the project required a hybrid care model with few precedents. TEF worked closely with HCAI to help shape new standards for this type of space. The project is located adjacent to the emergency department and imaging to minimize travel distance from both areas, while sitting at the furthest point from the main hospital entry to minimize disruption to hospital functions. A partial renovation of the first floor of an existing wing, along with a modest addition, meets strict regulations for psychiatric care in an acute setting.

Hospital unit with central nurses’ stations, patient-room corridors, clinicians, and a seating area beside a birch forest mural.
Modern hospital exterior with curved wood cladding, large windows, and drought-tolerant landscaping.
The 1,125 sf, structurally independent single-story addition provides additional staff support spaces, expands patient gathering spaces, and a new dedicated public entry to the unit.

Designing for Safety and Visibility

Careful planning and design measures ensure separation of staff service and patient care areas, controlled access points, and visual access to patients, patient rooms, activity spaces, and entries. Finishes, fixtures, and furnishings were carefully selected to enhance security while evoking a calming, residential atmosphere.

Shared hospital room with three patient beds, built-in storage, a sink, and a clinician reviewing paperwork.
Clinical exam room with a patient standing on a medical scale while a clinician records information on a tablet beside an exam table.
Accessible patient bathroom with a sink, mirror, roll-in shower, grab bars, privacy curtain, and blue-gray mosaic tile accents.

A Therapeutic Environment Rooted in Light and Nature

A flexible, daylight-filled great room supports human connection and provides visual and physical access to the landscaped courtyard designed for healing. Biophilic elements, finishes, and furniture support well-being and foster a warm, residential atmosphere that softens the clinical setting.

Bright hospital staff lounge with tables, lounge seating, computer workstations, a large birch forest mural, and two clinicians standing in the sunlit space.
Outdoor healing courtyard beside an emergency department, with wood-clad walls, landscaped grasses, sculptural seating, and a clinician and visitor using the space.
Landscaped hospital courtyard at dusk with curved wood walls, sculptural seating, and glass doors opening to a brightly lit lounge.
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Team

Collaborators

  • Architect and Interiors
    TEF
  • Landscape Architect
    Creo Landscape Architecture
  • Medical Planning Consultant
    BSR Consulting
  • Structural Engineer
    Kam Yan & Associates
  • Mechanical, Plumbing and Fire Engineers
    Ted Jacob Engineering Group
  • Electrical, Fire Alarm System, Nurse Call System, and Telecom Engineer
    Bay Area Consulting Engineers
  • Civil Engineer
    Sandis
  • Acoustic Consultant
    Salter Associates
  • Lighting Design
    Silverman & Light
  • Security and Technology Consultant
    Guidepost Solutions
  • Door and Hardware Consultant
    Door + Hardware Consultants
  • Contractor
    Herrero Builders
  • Photographer
    David Wakely

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