PHOTO BY BENJAMIN BENSCHNEIDER

FACILITY: CHI Franciscan St. Anthony Hospital

LOCATION: Pendleton, Ore.

ARCHITECT: ZGF Architects LLP

The new CHI Franciscan St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton, Ore., sits on a 92-acre greenfield site with a challenging topography defined by a 150-foot grade change. The natural terrain of rolling grassy hills, with an abundance of loess, caliche soils and basalt rock outcroppings, inspired the building’s siting and design.

The hospital and connected medical office building embrace a healing garden that offers therapeutic views for patients, visitors, staff and the local community. The garden builds upon the natural landscape with a composition of boulder outcroppings, native plants and an active man-made stream.

The rippling sound of water cascading down the hillside, pooling in a pond near the lower patio and cafeteria, provides a restorative quality. A pathway, free of steps or stairs, facilitates greater mobility for visitors to the garden and creates a softer approach to the hospital.