At a Glance
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450,000
Square Feet
- Location
- Fulton County, Missouri
- Offices
-
-
Architect
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Stantec / WSP
-
Awards
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Healthcare Design Awards, Innovations in Planning & Design Research, AIA (National), 2024
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Evidence-Based Design Touchstone Awards, Gold, The Center for Healthcare Design, 2023
-
-
American Institute of Architects (AIA) St. Louis, Distinguished Award for Architecture, 2020
- Location
- Fulton County, Missouri
- Offices
- Architect
- Stantec / WSP
- Awards
- Healthcare Design Awards, Innovations in Planning & Design Research, AIA (National), 2024
- Evidence-Based Design Touchstone Awards, Gold, The Center for Healthcare Design, 2023
- American Institute of Architects (AIA) St. Louis, Distinguished Award for Architecture, 2020
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Renovated and expanded, the Nixon Forensic Center at Fulton State Hospital redefines psychiatric care, seamlessly balancing safety, rehabilitation, and innovation. As the oldest mental health facility west of the Mississippi, Fulton sought to transform its campus, enhancing security while promoting recovery for 300 forensic psychiatric inpatients.
The facility, spanning 450,000 square feet (41,806 square metres), features 12 distinct living areas and four specialized program communities. Each is tailored to specific patient populations. A pioneering three-tier structure organizes psychiatric spaces into living units, the newly developed Program Communities, and a centralized Treatment Mall—an unprecedented approach now influencing behavioral health design nationwide.
A collection of common areas and counseling rooms serves as a middle-ground option between the 25-patient living units and the 100+ patient Treatment Mall. Spaces are strategically positioned for passive observation, with clear sightlines to patient areas and critical doors. The facility integrates extensive natural daylight, outdoor access, and biophilic design principles. A welcoming “front porch” hosts social events, while bright windows and a central lawn create a park-like atmosphere. The campus incorporates walking paths for the surrounding community to enjoy.
By integrating advanced therapeutic diagnosis categorization with innovative spatial planning, the Nixon Forensic Center sets a new standard in forensic mental health care, ensuring dignity, safety, and innovative treatment in a restorative setting.
" }At a Glance
-
450,000
Square Feet
- Location
- Fulton County, Missouri
- Offices
-
-
Architect
-
Stantec / WSP
-
Awards
-
Healthcare Design Awards, Innovations in Planning & Design Research, AIA (National), 2024
-
-
Evidence-Based Design Touchstone Awards, Gold, The Center for Healthcare Design, 2023
-
-
American Institute of Architects (AIA) St. Louis, Distinguished Award for Architecture, 2020
- Location
- Fulton County, Missouri
- Offices
- Architect
- Stantec / WSP
- Awards
- Healthcare Design Awards, Innovations in Planning & Design Research, AIA (National), 2024
- Evidence-Based Design Touchstone Awards, Gold, The Center for Healthcare Design, 2023
- American Institute of Architects (AIA) St. Louis, Distinguished Award for Architecture, 2020