Mountain Laurel Medical Center is a 12,000 square foot health care facility located in rural Garrett County, MD. With a mission of providing quality accessible primary health care to individuals in Garrett County regardless of their ability to pay, the center situates itself within the fabric of the community. Sited on a 14.5 acre parcel shared with the county health department, the medical center takes cues from the surrounding rural vernacular, using familiar shed roof forms and contextual materials like stone, wood siding, standing seam metal roofing, and timber structural elements. The building also incorporates modern environmental design strategies. Consideration is given to day lighting and views, and the design features expanses of glazing with deep overhangs and sun shading. Site efficiency is maximized by nestling the building into the hillside portion of the site, allowing for minimum disturbance of the existing undeveloped area.
This project delivered a building that fulfilled all the requirements of efficiency and functionality that a modern medical center demands within a structure that is aesthetically pleasing and contextually responsive.