Henry Ford Jackson Parking Structure

Several sites were studied as potential locations for this structure, and this one was chosen because it was the most convenient for patients. Busy roads on three sides of the project and an operational emergency department on the fourth side created a significant challenge for the project team. It was crucial to ensure that all adjacent routes—including the emergency entrance, ambulance traffic and loading dock deliveries—always remained open.

Visibility, brightness and maintaining clear routes to destinations were key themes identified early in the project. The team focused on minimizing physical and visual obstructions including using glass in the elevator and stairwells, higher ceiling heights, superior lighting, and white paint to increase brightness. Extra care was taken to provide clear signs, marked walkways and markings to help people remember which floor they parked on, and the clearly marked stairway and elevator leave no confusion about how to get into the hospital.