Coming out of the landscape master plan led by KMDG, the main entrance at Brigham and Women’s hospital was identified as one of the top priorities of the phase two master planning projects. The idea was to transform the main entrance at BWH from a dark and confusing drop off to a welcoming environment that acts as a precursor to the quality care one can expect at the hospital.

The upgrades to the main entry included strategies to add more light, introduce natural materials, improve wayfinding, and increase pedestrian access. The design includes larger planters allowing for increased soil volume and larger plant diversity. The design interventions help create a welcoming environment by softening the space that was previously concrete and steel. To help increase visibility and natural light in the entry, the design makes the curtain wall more transparent carefully tweaked the lighting to adjust better to both day and night conditions. In addition to the aesthetic enhancements, the design improved wayfinding and access with more prominent entryways for pedestrians that clearly distinguish the emergency entry from the general hospital entrance. The project also widened and made entry points more accessible at the main crosswalk and on the corner of the street.