Spinal Care Injury Center

The VA San Diego Spinal Cord Injury Center and Community Living Center, being built on the VA San Diego Medical Center campus, will offer cutting-edge healthcare services to Veterans grappling with spinal cord injuries. The comprehensive facility will provide a spectrum of services including diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.

The design's central focus is on patient holistic well-being, achieved through designing patient units following a house/neighborhood model. Each "house" comprises six to eight private patient bedrooms surrounding nursing care areas, communal spaces and an exterior rooftop garden terrace, fostering social interaction and relaxation. Patient and resident rooms are designed with large windows to maximize natural light exposure and are complemented by spacious supervised and independent rehabilitation therapy areas.

Symbolism honoring Veterans' service reverberates throughout the building's design, with features such as a memorial garden, an atrium healing garden and military branch-inspired stars adorning interior corridors. The Paralyzed Veterans of America played an active role in the design process, ensuring the facility caters to the specific needs of Veterans with spinal cord injuries, including mobility impairments and accessibility requirements.