More than 240,000 Americans routinely endure the rigors of renal dialysis to treat end stage renal disease (ESRD) -- physically exhausting three-to-five-hour sessions three times a week -- at an annual federal government-funded cost of approximately $17.9 billion. Although the death rate of 67,000 individuals is significant, approximately 80,000 new patients are diagnosed with ESRD each year - creating an urgent need for additional dialysis facilities to keep pace with the disease's proliferation.
Total Renal Care (now DaVita, Inc.), the nation's largest independent provider of kidney dialysis services, with nearly 500 owned and managed facilities in multiple states and the District of Columbia wanted to merge two dialysis practices at a single location in Houston's world-renowned medical center district. The single facility's goal was to assure operational efficiencies at a state-of-the-art location. Based on the success of a smaller previous project in Batesville, IN, Total Renal Care chose Alter+Care as the turnkey developer, based on our existing relationship and hands-on expertise in delivering specialty outpatient facilities.
To assure on-time, on-budget completion, Alter+Care retained Houston consulting firms with first-rate reputations and local knowledge. Significantly larger than TRC's typical facilities - normally between 15 and 25 patient stations - the 30,000 SF 72-station facility serves more than 350 hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients annually. Reputedly the nation's largest dialysis center, the facility's operational efficiencies do not sacrifice quality care.
The freestanding building architecturally complements its neighborhood. The most compelling interior-planning goal was creating a warm residential-style, non-institutional environment for patients who spend many hours there. The warm colors and rich textures are more reminiscent of a home than a medical facility. The exterior of the traditionally styled, freestanding building combines brick and limestone veneers with a mix of split-face concrete masonry, its architecture complements the adjacent museum and hospital districts, as well as nearby residential neighborhoods.
