BCRA Design

Designing for the patient

Through a shared vision between MultiCare Health System, Franciscan Health System and TRA Medical Imaging, BCRA worked diligently to provide a breast health facility that exceeded all expectations for the South Sound community. With a singular focus of providing excellence in breast screening and diagnosis in a relaxed and spa-like setting, the center strived to be a unique model in health care.

The overarching goal in this project was to design for the patient – exuding comfort, warmth resulting in stress reduction. BCRA interior designers selected finishes to create a soothing ambiance to provide a calming experience. These goals were achieved through high end design components and a keen understanding of the flow of staff within the space. Careful consideration was also made to ease way-finding (in partnership with BCRA’s Visual Communication + Strategy team), to provide an easily navigable environment and respect patient confidentiality.

The center is named after Tacoma philanthropist and 30-year breast cancer survivor Carol Milgard. BCRA strived to honor her spirit in their design. The long-time Tacoma resident was described as a “ray of sunshine who offered enthusiasm and hope to everyone she met.” A new entryway set the stage with use of the center's sunburst logo that greeted patients to the facility and soften the space.

Retrofitting an existing space

To aide in cost and time savings, the challenge was to utilize an existing space to provide a solution for the many needs of multiple clients at hand. After test fits in the region, BCRA uncovered a brand new commercial use building that had yet to be occupied. The existing facility did pose challenges, including modification to the existing electrical and HVAC system. With the specific technological needs of an MRI unit – a radio frequency shielding box had to be created, providing a necessary barrier for the adjacent space that performs functions like bone density testing.