Greater Baltimore Medical Center is undergoing a $1 million renovation that includes enhancements to its lobby, gift shop, waiting areas, and corridors.
The
GBMC renovations come as other Greater Baltimore hospitals add new wings and get facelifts to get new patients. These include a
new pediatric clinic at Sinai Hospital and
new operating rooms at Baltimore Washington Medical Center.
"Patients like to see modern architecture and modern facilities," says Michael A. Forthman, vice president of facilities and support services at GBMC.
The Towson hospital has hired Towson architecture firm
Rubeling Inc. to design the new look. Renovations and additions account for about two-thirds of the workload for the company. It has performed work on behalf of Randallstown Community Center, Hockessin Athletic Club and Wellness Center, and Glenelg Country School.
Prosys Inc., of White Marsh, is the project manager for the renovations. The lobby and gift shop makeover will be completed in three months.
The lobby renovation involves flipping the location of the information desk with that of the radiology waiting space. After the renovation, the information desk will be directly across from the main entrance and will feature welcome signage, a decorative metal canopy, and accent lighting.
Privacy screens will surround the radiology waiting area and heightened ceilings will hopefully open up the space.
The hospital chose ceramic tile for the floors, which can last 20 years, Forthman says.
"It's definitely a concern of ours to use good products with a long life cycle."
Another set of renovations will begin at the hospital in July. This time, the 285-bed hospital will redo the cafeteria and a unit of its nuclear medicine department. Forthman says he is not sure yet how much these renovations will cost, but it will probably be less than the first phase.
Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Michael A. Forthman, GBMC