A phased, community-centered design approach ensures uninterrupted, continuous care for patients
Encinitas, Calif. — Taylor Design announced the completion of the initial phase of a multi-stage campus transformation for Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, marking a major milestone in Scripps Health’s plan to modernize clinical facilities and expand access to healthcare services throughout the region. Constructed at the center of the campus, the new, three-story Lusardi Tower serves as a multifunctional hub and connection point for the hospital.
The expanded campus is planned around a clear commitment to both operational efficiency and an exceptional patient experience. Each decision, across initial planning and when considering future growth, was made with intention, ensuring a seamless approach to patient care.
“We’re inserting a new hospital into an existing, fully functional facility,” said Bill O’Rourke, project architect with Taylor Design. “Every step was carefully sequenced to keep the hospital running, the project moving forward, and most importantly to allow the hospital to continue caring for patients with the same high level of care.”
The new acute care building adds 36 patient beds and brings together medical-surgical and ICU units, surgical services, and expanded labor and delivery. Additionally, it consolidates laboratory, pharmacy, dietary, and other key support functions.
Patient rooms maximize daylight and outdoor views, reinforcing a connection to the surrounding coastal environment. Interior materials and finishes, including warm neutrals and soft blues combined with curated local artwork, contribute to a calming setting while connecting to the diverse communities of Encinitas. In postpartum areas, abstract murals provide visual interest and a positive distraction.
Centralized nursing stations, articulated through wood-slat ceilings and material changes, anchor each floor. Glass-enclosed physician huddle rooms offer proximity to care areas while supporting administrative needs.
A full-service café, adjacent to the campus’ main entry, serves as a gathering space for patients, families, and staff. Marking the entrance to the café, a wood portal provides a wayfinding element and creates intimate seating alcoves suited for private conversations.
“In addition to enhancing the patient experience, we considered how to elevate the staff experience. Staff spaces such as break rooms and offices were placed along the window walls to bring in daylight and offer views of the campus,” said Jamison Delfino, principal and lead interior designer at Taylor Design. “A dedicated staff support corridor and coordinated nursing stations allow care teams to move efficiently, outside of patient spaces”
A glass-enclosed stair at the south end of the building, paired with a large-scale mural that can be seen from nearby Interstate 5, serves as a beacon and visual anchor for the campus.
“The Scripps Encinitas program is a vital project for the region, and we are proud to have Taylor Design as part of our team,” said Whitley Robinson, Scripps Health corporate vice president for facilities, design and construction. “It is no easy task to design and implement a project on an active healthcare campus. We look forward to the next few years as we continue through the next phases of the program.”
The project is one of nine planned phases, with work expected to continue through 2030. Future phases will expand clinical capacity, improve campus circulation, and introduce new outdoor spaces, including a landscaped plaza and courtyard leading to a redesigned main entrance.
Taylor Design served as the architect-of-record providing architecture and interior design services. Project partners included Rudolph and Sletten, contractor; IMEG, structural engineer; Fuscoe Engineering, civil engineer; P2S, MEP engineering, and Open Air Kanvas, landscape architect.
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About Taylor Design
Taylor Design works in the space between complexity and humanity. For nearly fifty years, we’ve partnered with healthcare systems and research institutions connecting strategy, experience and space to transform how care is delivered and discovery is made. We’re 100% employee-owned, with five studios across California and a shared belief that health and science can be more just and compassionate than the systems we’ve inherited. Additional clients include Caltech, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Hoag, Kaiser Permanente, Providence, Sharp, Stanford Health and the University of California system, among others. Visit us at wearetaylor.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
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