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Saint Elizabeths Hospital

Client
D.C. Department of Behavioral Health
Location
Washington, DC
What we did
Planning, Programming, Fire Protection Engineering, Architecture, Interior Design..., Modernization & Preservation
Size
468,000-SF New Construction, 49.5-Acre Campus, 290 Civil & Forensic Beds, 16-Bed Transitional Residence

Bringing modern care to a historic landmark, the new Saint Elizabeths Hospital serves as a model for best practices in recovery-based psychiatric treatment for forensic residential patients as well as civil outpatients in the District of Columbia.

Founded in 1855, Saint Elizabeths Hospital was the first large-scale, federally operated behavioral health and psychiatric care facility in the United States. The campus included a hospital for wounded soldiers during the Civil War and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990.

To address the complex requirements of modern inpatient psychiatric care, Page worked with the District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health to construct a new, high-quality facility that serves its citizens on the existing site. The resulting design integrates security and observation requirements with privacy and respect for residents, creating an effective, flexible therapeutic environment.

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Healing by design

The right environment fosters lasting, positive change

Wide, sun-filled hallways foster a sense of community while providing clear circulation, broad angles for observation, and enhanced security. A 16-bed transitional residence prepares patients for independent living, while gardens off each patient unit, enclosed courtyards, and a 28,000-square-foot green roof support sustainability and create spaces where positive change can occur—for patients, staff, and the environment.

Saint Elizabeth extends its impact beyond its walls, inviting the broader community to learn and engage. A museum in the lobby recaps 170 years of psychiatric care and offers a glimpse into the future of innovative therapies. The facility also functions as a teaching hospital, featuring a library, auditorium, computer labs, and gyms to support education and training.

The new Saint Elizabeth Hospital continues its legacy: "Shining the Light Since 1855."

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