The new UPMC Vision and Rehabilitation Tower at UPMC Mercy facility will be at the global forefront of ophthalmic research and care in the United States. This academic medical facility was designed with accessibility at its core to accommodate patients, clinicians, researchers, and educators across all spectrums of vision and physical capability.

Located on the UPMC Mercy Campus in Pittsburgh’s Uptown neighborhood, this new facility includes a nine-story tower that houses research, office, and conference areas and a four-story building that is home to hospital functions including surgery, clinical, and pharmacy spaces. The hospital and its corporate partners will serve the region as a destination for healing, an incubator for medical advancements, and a hub for biomedical research.

Chris Downey, AIA, one of the world’s few blind architects, advised the design team on strategies that best support these visitors. Some of the hospital features will include lighting strategies that rely on contrast and brightness, sound as a wayfinding tool, and materials and textures that aid people with navigational aids. This project, collaboration and the design process were recently featured in a 60-Minutes Segment highlighting Chris Downey's amazing story.

A glass-enclosed collaborative staircase is the main feature of the building, which physically connects the upper research levels and establishes ample space for staff gathering and innovation. The project's distinctive facade utilizes a mix of energy-efficient patterned glass, warm terra-cotta, and brick—respecting the architectural character of Pittsburgh and the prominent site on the Boulevard of the Allies. (read more at hok.com)