Site on a four-acre lot along the Black River in Pocahontas, Arkansas, 1st Choice Healthcare is a 17,840 SF community health center that reimagines rural healthcare architecture. Developed as a prototype for future clinics, the facility replaces the formulaic, suburban typology of the client's previous buildings with a spatially rich, materially grounded design that reflects the local landscape, prioritizes patient dignity, and enhances staff efficiency.
The design responds directly to its site and region - at the geographical intersection of the Ozark foothills and the Mississippi River Delta - through a language of monolithic stone masses, broad overhangs, and warm, daylight-filled interiors. Public spaces thread between stone volumes that conceal service and mechanical areas, offering intuitive wayfinding and moments of calm. Natural light, locally inspired materials, and a restrained palette work together to promote wellness and comfort.
At the heart of the plan is a symmetrical clincal core designed to serve 8 providers, 16 nurses, and support staff with 24 exam rooms. This layout enables dual patient processsing and direct lines of sight from staff areas, reducing bottlenecks and improving care delivery. Two covered drive-throughs, developed during the height of COVID-19 pandemic, support safe, flexible access for testing, triage, and prescription pick-up - strategies that remain useful for future community health needs.
Distinct entries for staff and patients seperate public and private circulation, improving flow and security while reinforcing a sense of welcome for visitors. A shared community room anchors the southeast corner of the plan, symbolizing the clinic's role not only as a provider of care but also as a civic resource.
Rooted in trust and an open client relationship, the design process allowed for meaningful departures from precedent. The result is a facility that centers people-patients, providers, and the broader community-while establishing a replicable model to strengthen rural healthcare infrastructure across the state.
