KMD has reimagined a new psychiatric environment to better support the excellent care provided by
UCSF-LPPH clinicians. The acclaimed Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital has relocated and consolidated its 30-bed secure Inpatient Care Unit, Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) within the 27,000 SF top floor of the older, mid-city UCSF Mt. Zion Medical Center.

In collocating the three programs, LPPH desired to create an environment to support its established approach for comprehensive and compassionate patient care. To accomplish such a complete model of care, all key program components (Medical, Nursing, Rehabilitative and Pharmacy) are accommodated on one floor.

At the outset, KMD was retained to evaluate three candidate sites within San Francisco; ultimately selecting the Mt. Zion location. Initial studies concluded that the 27,000 SF floorplate was of sufficient size, but of an extremely challenging floor configuration; two connected bar shaped buildings to accommodate the three major LPPH programs. Construction was completed by late summer of 2023, with the new facility paying homage to its original name, the Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital (LPPH).

Preliminary planning studies concluded it most advantageous to locate the bedrooms of the 30-bed Secure Inpatient Unit across the South Wing of the 7th Floor, within 18 single care rooms and 6 double occupancy rooms. The Inpatient Unit is organized around a central nurse station and ‘Living Room’, as well as distributed Clinical Support Functions and a Seclusion Suite. The program for Daily Activities including therapy and dining spaces for Inpatients is located along the eastern face of the long, North Wing. The latter may be closed at night for security, but Inpatients are able to move freely between the two zones during the day, under close supervision and control from the central nurse station.

Family, visitors and PHP/IOP patients enter directly into a shared reception area along the western face of the North Wing. This public entry serves the two ambulatory programs, as well as visitors to the Inpatient Care Unit, who are escorted through a controlled vestibule, with a metal detector at the security perimeter. The general partí for all three services was deemed feasible and accepted by staff.

The difficult issue of providing an outdoor recreation area for Inpatients was accomplished through the creation of a ‘Porch’, a large waterproofed space, outfitted with open-air safety screens at newly enlarged wall openings. For patient comfort this outdoor amenity is located along the east face of the building, protected from the strong west winds.

Nearly every room enjoys a sweeping view of San Francisco. KMD’s design goal to create a healing patient environment is achieved through bright, inviting and open interiors, softened by warm accents in wood. Collectively, they reinforce LPPH’s three compassionate behavioral healthcare programs. Extensive consideration during the planning process ensures a ligature-resistant facility; safe and secure for patients, visitors and staff. This state-of-the-art space expands from 22 beds in the current hospital to 30 in the new LPPH, allowing the hospital to serve 40% more patients, overall.

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Project contact: Lari María Díaz