8:50 PM
Stephanie Belanger
The Duke Integrative Medicine Center, located in Duke Forest, North Carolina, is a design project that embraces its natural surroundings while using environmentally friendly products. Through the building’s large archways give the feeling of trees overhead, much like it is a continuation of the forest itself. Unlike a typical medical center, Duke Integrative Medicine gives the overall feeling of relaxation, meditation, making it a soothing relief for its patients and visitors.
The materials and products chosen for this project reflect the theme by using warm achromatic colors and natural materials. This LEED Certified building uses several sustainable products. First, you enter into the building through wooden doors made from reforestation lumber. The first step into the building is onto a walk-off mat, made with 40% recycled content, and will collect dirt before stepping out on the beautiful bamboo floor. The walk-off mat is well chosen because it cuts down on the maintenance of cleaning the floors and allows people to dry their feet, preventing potential injuries from wet floors.
(Bamboo Flooring: greenwoodbamboo.com)
The bamboo flooring is not only a sustainable product, it is also well chosen for the acoustics of the reception area because it will not absorb the sounds, instead it allows them to bounce around the space and create a lively, welcoming space. Also in the entry is a beautiful custom water feature made from granite and glass. Not only does this give a calm, serene feeling, but it also brings in another human sense to the space. Moving through the building to the meditation room, slate tiles are used on the wall. The slate add warm to the room with rich colors and their rustic texture adds an element of they outdoors.
(Slate Tile: nemotile.com)
These tiles will also stand the test of time and can be recycled if they are ever removed. Within the patient rooms, are a variety of resilient floorings. One hundred percent post-consumer rubber flooring, as well as cork flooring are used.
Acoustically, these choices are smart because they will absorb sounds in the room for a peaceful environment within. While these may not last as long as hard surface flooring, they are very durable, and well chosen for their application. Around the building, into the kitchen are solid surface countertops with recycled content mixed into the resin. These stone-like counters are both cost effective and durable. Also, since they are solid, surface damage can be refinished much like natural stone.
Since large windows are used throughout the space, interior roller shades are necessary to control the temperature as well as the amount of light coming into the building. The mechanical ones chosen in this building allow for convenient changes as necessary throughout the day. Down the hall in the medical center, ceramic tiles made to look like tree bark are intermixed with solid bricks. These tiles are made with 40% recycled material and bring in a visual element which reflects the surrounding forest. 
(Ceramic Tile: nevmar.com)
Overall, the products used in the Duke Integrative Medicine Project were well chosen for their application. The surface materials have been well thought out for each space. The uses of hard and soft surfaces in the different rooms enhance the acoustic purposes of the space. In this medical haven, patients and visitors can breathe easy, feel relaxed, and be one with nature.
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