Case Study

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Master Site & Facilities Plan Iconic Children’s Hospital Prepares for the Next Decade

Memphis, Tennessee, USA

The Challenge

St. Jude sought to create an unparalleled health care campus where children/pediatrics and their families can be comfortable and safe. HKS designers were challenged to maintain a feeling of intimate care and safety on campus as growth occurs and density increases.

The Design Solution

We created a plan that manages growth for the campus over the next 10 years, including an additional 3 million square feet of research, clinical and administration space. The plan organizes the site to improve circulation, wayfinding and the overall experience of the campus. HKS worked with St. Jude’s leadership to develop a campus vision that connects existing buildings and accommodates significant growth. Sheltered walks reach from one end of the campus to the other. The program features expanded health care services, patient and family housing, research labs, philanthropy facilities and administrative space as well as a visitor center. The plan also considers how to better connect the existing campus with downtown Memphis to support community revitalization and growth.

The Design Impact

In the plan, pedestrians take priority. Families and children no longer walk across parking lots to get to medical services. Cars and service vehicles have limited travel lanes as well as better parking and routes that are separated from pedestrian areas. The next generation of buildings are planned to fill in areas of the campus. The result is a unified composition that redefines the open space system and strengthens the campus identity.

Project Features

  • 98 acres
  • 3 million square feet (278,709 sm) of new construction
  • 140 new housing units
  • New visitors center
  • Expanded cafeteria and courtyard
  • Redefined open space system featuring the Danny Thomas Garden & Pavilion
  • Sorted maintenance-of-service logistics