On the west side of Del Norte, across from a large bison herd, sits Rio Grande Hospital and Clinic. Construction of a large addition, a Wellness Village, is approaching completion with a grand opening planned for June.
On June 22, the public will be able to tour the entire Wellness Village, consisting of the Wellness Center, six guest cottages, and a greenhouse geodesic dome.
The Wellness Center’s purpose is to “improve the lives and health of those we serve. The building’s design evokes a feeling like home and down-home rural hospitality to have a positive impact on the user’s mental and physical wellbeing,” says Arlene Harms, CEO of Rio Grande Hospital.
(Listen to The Valley Pod episode with Harms HERE.)
When completed, the wellness village will occupy five acres adjoining the existing hospital campus and will include the multipurpose Wellness Center, four to six small housing units, and four RV hookups. The housing and RV hookup features will enable those who don’t live close by or who are visiting the area to spend time with loved ones in treatment or hospice without having to travel up to 90 miles plus-or-minus every day.
“The new Wellness Center building combines elements tying it to the existing hospital as well as traditional mountain architectural elements,” says architect Lisa Carpenter with Keys & Lauer Architecture.
This communal Wellness Center building is oriented to take advantage of up-valley views and views of the bison herd, and to make the most of natural light, which is a priority.
“Signage and use of color draw you into the building and toward areas of interest and information. Each zone has a unique color so you know which elements are tied to each zone,” said Carpenter.
People can connect with others in the Community Lounge. It will be appointed with soft furnishings to encourage a sense of relaxation, comfort and safety.
The larger Community Hall has warm tan textured wall coverings and a spatial sensation of openness. “It will have advanced audio/visual set up and a variety of lighting options, and when not being used for hospital and/or community events, it is tied to the mindfulness zone,” said Carpenter.
“The mindfulness education/information node, just outside the Community Hall, will direct people into the Community Hall to try the labyrinth that is designed in the flooring. Labyrinths are a great form of meditation and are to calm anxiety, quiet the mind, and encourage self-reflection.”
“The mindfulness zone is a deep purple color to promote relaxation and creativity and includes two Quiet Rooms to meditate and reflect.” They provide privacy and safety.
Further down the hall is the green nutrition wall denoting the zone that will teach how to grow a variety of foods and herbs, and how to cook healthy at home. It includes the Garden Meeting Room, the Teaching Kitchen, and the exterior geodesic greenhouse.
Featuring the “living herb wall,” the Garden Meeting Room’s herbs stimulate the senses with a variety of textures, colors, shapes, and aromas. The herbs add life to the room, keep CO2 levels low, and are known to reduce stress levels and lower blood pressure.
The Teaching Kitchen, in the center of the facility, is designed as a social space with the comfort of the users in mind. According to Lisa Carpenter “there is seating around both the large island and two higher countertops. The kitchen also has an accent wood ceiling and pendant lights creating a variety of textures and a more at-home feel.”
The final area of the center is “the move zone, finished in deep orange to symbolize strength and evoke energy. The Exercise Studio will be furnished with a variety of exercise equipment for people to use and learn ways to exercise at home.”
The invigorating Exercise Studio, with large windows, has outstanding views of the natural rural landscapes to the west and south and provides direct access to the outdoor covered veranda for group classes.