A Vision Realized

Empathic Design for the Visually Impaired

TEF’s design team included architect Chris Downey, who lost his sight in 2008, offering a rare perspective on how patients with sight impairment experience and navigate space. Special inner sub-waiting rooms are programmed with dim lighting for patients whose eyes are dilated, while high-contrast colors and textures support wayfinding throughout the facility. Indirect light sources, and translucent curtains and blinds, diffuse natural daylight, reducing glare for patients with sensitive vision. Signage throughout the facility uses larger, easier-to-read fonts, and a grassy outdoor area accommodates patients who arrive with seeing eye dogs.

Integrated Clinical Care, Research, and Education

The institute consolidates optometry and ophthalmology patient care, clinical research and training, and departmental offices under one roof, creating a comprehensive destination for vision care. The 17,500 sf renovation and 58,000 sf addition expand the existing Ambulatory Care Center, integrating patient care with clinical trials and translational research while increasing capacity for vision-science clinical trials by 50 percent.

Intuitive Wayfinding Connected to Nature

A unified circulation spine runs the length of the building, parallel to an exterior landscaped promenade that provides access to nature. Clinical waiting and reception areas are located along this spine, simplifying navigation and reducing confusion for patients and visitors. This organizing strategy also embeds long-term adaptability into the building’s core. A robust series of user meetings and intensive coordination ensured key clinical and operational needs were also addressed, minimizing uncertainty and rework during construction.

The project was delivered through a collaborative design-build model led by McCarthy Building Companies as general contractor, with HGA serving as executive architect and TEF leading programming, interior design, and planning.