JACA Architects, one of New England’s premier healthcare-exclusive architectural firms, has announced that the firm has been selected by Signature Healthcare Services, based in Corona, Calif., to design a new, standalone psychiatric hospital in Westborough, Mass.
Although generally uncommon, Signature Healthcare Services specializes in standalone psychiatric hospitals, and serves thousands of patients every year by delivering mental health and substance abuse treatment through its 14 acute care hospitals located in California, Illinois, Nevada, Arizona and Texas. The Westborough location will mark Signature Healthcare Services’ first location in Massachusetts.
All facilities are accredited by CMS and The Joint Commission, the highest authorities in healthcare.
This project will entail the full rehabilitation of an existing building that was formerly used as a private school and as the headquarters of a gas company, as well as a small new addition which will house the facility’s gymnasium. The total size of the project is still in flux, although the original building is 88,000 square feet. The project had an initial estimate at $15 million, and construction is expected to begin on the building within the first quarter of 2016. Campanelli (Braintree, Mass.) is the construction manager for the project.
Bill Epp, associate principal at JACA Architects, is overseeing the project in conjunction with Susie Festel, associate, interior designer, who is leading the planning and design, and Paul Girello, project manager, who is involved with the documentation and construction of the project.
“Standalone psychiatric hospitals are very uncommon, yet demand for mental health services is increasing all the time,” said Tony Cavallaro, president of JACA Architects. “We are excited to be associated with a project that will no doubt have an incredibly positive impact on the care needs of so many.”
