Project Team Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for Don Knabe Wellness Center

DOWNEY, Calif. – The integrated team of McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., Taylor Design and SmithGroupJJR celebrated the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Don Knabe Wellness Center and Plaza located at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey, California —a rehabilitation hospital specializing in the care of patients with disabilities caused by brain and spinal cord injury. The 12,000-square-foot wellness center marks the first completed structure under Rancho Los Amigos’ $418-million renovation and expansion project.

By seamlessly connecting the indoor and dual-purpose outdoor spaces, the new center transforms into an ingenious recovery zone – extending rehabilitation far beyond the walls of a hospital.

The project team utilized innovative solutions to meet the client’s needs, including:

• Laser scanning: Geometric design was incorporated through advanced laser scanning, showcasing the cultural significance and character of the center
• Virtual reality: The team utilized VR as a visual communication tool to allow the client to virtually see the design, eliminating the number of change orders and rework throughout the project—cutting both costs and time
• Sustainability: The facility is certified under LEED NC and LEED Healthcare

While the new center is equipped with a therapy swimming pool that has an underwater treadmill, weight-lifting room, dance studio, cardio and yoga room, the Rancho Los Amigos community is more appreciative of what this wellness facility symbolizes—a place where miracles happen and hope is revitalized. Aimed to increase both the patients’ and community’s accessibility to advanced rehabilitative technologies and wellness practices, this center was recognized by state legislators and was officially dedicated and named after Donald R. Knabe, a member of the Los Angeles County board of supervisors, serving the Fourth District.

The entire 21-acre renovation of Rancho Los Amigos will also include seismic and other facility upgrades in phase two of construction and is anticipated to be completed by 2020. For more info, visit: https://dhs.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dhs/rancho.

Photos courtesy of John Linden.