SSM Health Dean Medical Group Specialty Services
Keep Calm & Carry On
- Wayfinding
- Health
A Calming Path Through Care
Designed by HGA as a hub for collaborative outpatient services, the Dean Medical Group Specialty Services building in Madison, Wisconsin brings together a warm palette of stone and natural wood to create a soothing, patient‑centered environment. Exit’s interior wayfinding system builds on this architectural approach, introducing a simple, elegant language rooted in a dark charcoal gray that stands in gentle contrast to the warm materials throughout the space. The result is a cohesive system that supports clarity while enhancing the building’s sense of calm.
Softly Illuminated Direction
With five stories connected by a central elevator bank and shared architectural layouts across patient floors, clear floor identification was essential. We designed thin dimensional numbers that float slightly off the wall and glow with subtle halo‑lit illumination, reinforcing the building’s tranquil atmosphere. Each number is lit by a slender LED strip carefully integrated into a custom channel within the form, creating an effect that is clear, comforting, and beautifully understated.
Built for Collaborative Care
From the outset, SSM Health envisioned a team‑based model that encourages collaboration across specialty groups, with shared exam rooms and flexible care spaces. Because sub‑specialty naming could not reliably define zones, we developed a wayfinding methodology centered around alpha‑numeric symbols assigned to each waiting area. Patients are directed to these identifiers upon arrival and additional signage within public spaces highlights amenities and key destinations.
