Taylor Design celebrated the ribbon cutting for San Mateo County Health’s Medical Center Campus, marking a milestone in a near-decade-long transformation that began with a master plan in 2016. The post Facility of the Month: Seismic Improvements Inspire Campus Modernization at San Mateo County Health’s Medical Center Campus appeared first on HCO News. The post Facility of the Month: Seismic Improvements Inspire Campus Modernization at San Mateo County Health’s Medical Center Campus appeared first on HCO News.
The exterior of the Link Building at San Mateo Medical Center uses composite wood paneling creating an embrace around the drop-off plaza to highlight the entry. The long, linear windows in a rhythmic pattern accentuate the facade of the facility, mimicking nature and evoking a sense of wellness. | Photo Credit: Courtesy of Taylor Design
By Lindsey Coulter
SAN MATEO, Calif. — Taylor Design celebrated the ribbon cutting for San Mateo County Health’s Medical Center Campus, marking a milestone in a near-decade-long transformation that began with a master plan in 2016. This vision laid out the groundwork for the construction and renovation of 200,000 square feet of the campus, serving as both a modern healthcare environment and an integral part of its suburban neighborhood.
The campus renewal reflects a deliberate effort by San Mateo County to address seismic compliance while reimagining the medical center as a welcoming, community-centered destination. Through early planning, phased delivery and close collaboration among designers, builders and county stakeholders, the project reshaped how patients, staff and neighbors interact with the campus.
Master Planning Driven by Urgency and Opportunity
The catalyst for the project was the realization that one of the campus’s primary structures — known as the “1954 Building” — would require a major seismic overhaul by 2030 to comply with California Senate Bill 1953. Rather than pursue a piecemeal retrofit, the County opted for a comprehensive approach.
“Inherent to the master planning process is a broader look at the project and the parts it connects to, directly and indirectly,” said Ravi Rao, Senior Interior Designer with Taylor Design. “It allowed us to study the buildings on campus and to understand how they were being used.”
Following detailed assessments, the design team recommended demolishing the 1954 Building, creating an opportunity to rethink the campus holistically. “With the 1954 Building gone, our team took the opportunity to re-envision the campus,” Rao said. “We looked at the patient and staff experience, as well as community access.”
The master plan established a strategic framework for future development, recommending new adjacencies, upgrades to existing facilities and the addition of two key elements: a new Administration Building and the Link Building, which would redefine the hospital’s entry sequence.
Designing a Human-Scaled Healthcare Campus
From the outset, Taylor Design emphasized that the campus should feel approachable and contextual, despite the technical demands of a major healthcare facility.
“With compliance changes on the horizon, the County chose to make updates proactively,” said Kevin Hinrichs, AIA, President of Taylor Design. “They needed a campus that not only met seismic requirements but also envisioned enhancing its presence as a true community asset.”
Building massing, height and materials were carefully calibrated to respect surrounding neighborhoods. Perkins&Will, serving as exterior design architect, drew inspiration from the region’s natural landscape.
“Inspired by the redwood forests of San Mateo County, the building’s façade uses composite wood paneling and long, linear windows,” said Matt Covall, Associate Principal with Perkins&Will. “The goal was to connect the built environment with nature and wellness.”
The Link Building and Administration Building rise roughly three stories, preserving neighborhood views while maintaining a sense of warmth. The campus layout also addresses complex seismic constraints.
“There are technical requirements involved with positioning a building that is not regulated by the state adjacent to a hospital that is,” Rao said. “The Link Building connects at strategic points, but the buildings are separated by a flexible joint so they can move independently in a seismic event.”
Interior Spaces Focused on Wellness and Collaboration
Inside the Administration Building, interior design strategies emphasize transparency, daylight and interaction — a departure from the enclosed workplaces staff previously occupied.
“We designed these buildings to be warm, colorful and inviting,” said Stephanie L’Estrange, Director of Interior Design with Taylor Design. “The open central stair and the cafés on every floor were all intentional, to spark serendipitous meetups.”
A skylight positioned above the stair floods the core of the building with natural light, while whiteboard-painted walls transform circulation zones into collaborative spaces. According to L’Estrange, these moves were aimed at improving staff well-being and communication.
In the Link Building, the design prioritizes clarity and calm for patients and visitors. “Patients can look down the hall and find exactly what they need,” L’Estrange said. “That confidence is critical when someone is already under stress.”
Community Integration Beyond Clinical Care
The redesigned campus extends beyond healthcare delivery to function as a neighborhood resource. Walking paths, green spaces and outdoor seating areas are accessible to the public, encouraging everyday use.
“The hospital has long been part of this community,” Rao said. “Part of our job was to strengthen this connection — to make this a civic destination for health, not just a healthcare facility.”
Local art further reinforces that goal. Sculptural and graphic installations by Bay Area artists, including Yellow Goat Design’s butterfly installation, bring color and movement to public spaces.
“The art program is an extension of the healing environment,” L’Estrange said. “The local artists’ work gives a pleasant, personal touch to the interiors.”
Collaborative Delivery and Long-Term Value
As complexity increased, the team adopted design-build–style collaboration to improve coordination, accelerate decision-making and manage risk. Truebeck Construction served as general contractor, working closely with Taylor Design, Perkins&Will and engineering partners.
“The completion of the San Mateo Medical Center Health Campus project is a momentous occasion,” said Paul Cunningham, project executive at Truebeck Construction. “This project is a tremendous addition that will help serve the San Mateo community.”
Long-term durability and lifecycle performance guided material and systems decisions, particularly in high-traffic public areas.
“We always strive to be good stewards of our clients’ financial resources,” said Caitlin Stevenson, Principal and Project Director of Taylor Design. “In the case of a public institution, finding the right balance between cost and durability is essential.”
The completed campus reflects a broader shift in healthcare architecture — one that prioritizes seismic resilience, staff well-being and community connection as inseparable elements of public health infrastructure.
Project Data
Project Name: San Mateo Medical Center Campus Renovation
Client: San Mateo County Health
Size: 30,000 square feet
Cost: $176 million
Lead Design Architect: Taylor Design
Lead Architect: Taylor Design & Perkins&Will
Interior Design: Taylor Design
Exterior Design: Perkins&Will
General Contractor: Truebeck Construction
Landscape Architect: Carducci
Structural Engineer: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
MEP Engineer: Interface Engineering
Civil Engineer: BKF Engineers
FF&E: Kitchen and Cafe Equipment - The Marshall Associates , Furniture -OneWorkplace
Product Data
Architectural Finishes
Terrazzo Flooring : Terrazzco
Tile: Crossville
Carpet: Milliken
Casework – Solid Surface: Caesar Stone and Corian
Specialty Ceiling: LINEA Plank Wood Grille Ceiling
Acoustic Ceiling Tile: Certainteed
Makers
Butterfly Sculpture: YellowGoat Design s
San Mateo Logo: Brian Huber
Cafe Birds Sculpture: Autumn Bree
The post Facility of the Month: Seismic Improvements Inspire Campus Modernization at San Mateo County Health’s Medical Center Campus appeared first on HCO News.
The post Facility of the Month: Seismic Improvements Inspire Campus Modernization at San Mateo County Health’s Medical Center Campus appeared first on HCO News.
