Story County Medical Center (SCMC) Outpatient Expansion

Nevada, Iowa

Story County Medical Center's 35,500-square-foot outpatient expansion guided by a masterplan completed in 2014, forges a new future for healthcare in rural Nevada. By consolidating services that once operated across two campuses, the project unifies primary care, therapy, rehabilitation and wellness into a single addition to the hospital, simplifying operations, enhancing patient satisfaction, strengthening identity and access to care.

A new main entrance and drop-off canopy welcomes visitors, while terracotta cladding and Ipé wood accents, and generous glazing connect the building to its surroundings. Inside, natural finishes and warm tones ease transitions; intuitive layouts and "on-stage/off-stage" planning ensure that patients move through a calm, clear journey, even as staff operate efficiently behind the scenes.

Therapy and rehabilitation spaces were intentionally placed along exterior walls to capture daylight and views, supporting both physical recovery and emotional resilience. Community gathering and education spaces extend the hospital's role into wellness and prevention, creating a resource that serves far beyond clinical needs. These design strategies respond to unique rural challenges: an aging population, rising chronic illnesses, and the need for mental health and specialty services. Every aspect of the project was conceived to reduce barriers, improve community health and wellness, and support local access to comprehensive care.

More than a hospital, this is a gathering place rooted in purpose and possibility: where wellness, healing, and community growth are intertwined.

Project completed while at INVISION — Role: Healthcare Planner

Photos by Cameron Campbell; Integrated Studio