Medical Park at UnityPoint Health

Located in Ankeny, IA

Ankeny, a suburb of Des Moines, has seen its population double over the past 15 years, with more than 55,000 citizens today and more families continuing to move into the area. To keep up with this ongoing growth, UnityPoint Health wanted to create a convenient, all-encompassing medical park on Ankeny’s north side to make it easier for patients to access the services they need.

The convenient location of this new facility also allows for faster ambulance access for patients from northern Iowa counties, rather than traveling into downtown Des Moines.

Shive-Hattery designed a 59,000-square-foot facility to bring several healthcare services together under one roof. The existing services offered include Iowa Radiology, Iowa Digestive Disease Center, Family Medicine and Urgent Care clinics, along with several new services including physical therapy, pharmacy, pathology laboratory, diagnostic center and an outpatient surgery center. While the building was being planned, it was determined that MRI services would also be needed in the medical park. To accommodate this technology while keeping delays to a minimum, Shive-Hattery quickly designed a building addition and interior build-out.

Designed to function like a retail space, the medical park is all one level with three entrance areas located close to ample parking. Each clinic has its own entrance located off the main walkway area, similar to a shopping mall. To reflect the feel of “open arms,” the building’s central entrance features symmetrical spaces on either side, with an arching floorplan adorned with welcoming canopies.

A modern, fresh and aesthetic design was spread throughout the facility, both inside and out. A creative emphasis on natural daylight with ample windows and glass allows subtle brightness throughout the spaces.

With the Ankeny community’s focus on environmental issues growing, Shive-Hattery made sure that the greenfield site had adequate stormwater and erosion control. The building exterior – a rainscreen that allows for drainage and evaporation – was also tested to make sure it would perform as expected before occupancy.

Throughout the project, Shive-Hattery balanced the needs of UnityPoint Health and the two developers involved in the collaboration, keeping the project on time and within budget; addressing the healthcare needs that would better serve the community; and maintaining a certain level of quality, image, and brand.

Ankeny residents now have easy access to any healthcare service they may need all in one building. This comprehensive medical park saves patients time and money, makes it simple for them to move from appointment to appointment as needed, and even offers an area to pick up prescriptions before they leave.