Stone embraces hospital healing garden

The new Tehachapi Hospital is destined to be more than a building. Architect Stephen Wen of Pasadena has included soothing fountains, a walking labyrinth and a healing garden wrapped in an undulating wall of stone and blocks. The west end of the wall features a cutout that frames the rolling hills of the Loop Ranch for the enjoyment of patients, visitors and staff walking in the garden or dining in the cafeteria (top photo).

Photo above, the administration building on the right awaits stone finish on the pillars. The hospital entry canopy will be wrapped in metal. More than 100 trade people are working on site every day, including prime contractors for plumbing, interior wall metal stud framing, electric infrastructure and heating/air conditioning. Project Manager Stacey Pray reported to the Tehachapi Valley Healthcare District board of directors on May 19 that all structural concrete and steel and road work has been completed. Permanent power by Southern California Edison will be completed by the end of May. Window installation is well under way and roofing is almost complete.

All construction will be completed by September, 2016, with the certificate of occupancy and hospital license to follow in the fourth quarter of 2016. The total cost of the hospital project will be $91,688,000. Total funding committed by the healthcare district, including two voter-approved bond issues, is $76,392,000. That funding will be exhausted by November, 2015. An agreement between the district and voter approval of affiliation with Adventist Health will bring in $25 million cash, which will cover the $24,296,000 in additional funding needed to complete the project.

Photo right, a cabinet in the Bernards Colombo construction trailer where the complex plans are stowed.