Mid-Columbia Center for Living

A balancing act in integration

The Mid-Columbia Center for Living is a full-service mental health facility in The Dalles, Oregon providing adult, child, and family mental health resources, substance abuse programs, intellectual developmental services, and community support. It is a mental health companion to the adjacent One Community Health medical and dental clinic and takes design cues from this neighboring facility. The building uses clean, modern lines, a calming color palette, and natural materials to create an inviting space for patients and staff.

Client
Mid-Columbia Center for Living

Location
The Dalles, OR

Size
22,600 sf

Year
2019

Lobby with blue walls and wooden walls and welcome sign

SEA’s design for this facility balances the need for multiple independent program spaces with site constraints and a tight budget. Privacy for clients and staff-only area integration were a major consideration in the design. Our approach to this project included listening carefully to the needs of our client and learning how the day-to-day would look at the facility — by dialing in both the daily operations and the highest client priorities, we were able to address competing programming needs.

Sit plan showing Mid-Columbia and One Community Health next door. Also a SEA project. — Make it stand out

The Mid-Columbia Center for Living is adjacent to One Community Health, another project SEA designed. While each health care facility has its own distinct design, SEA was careful to ensure they complement one another.

Exterior curtain wall with people walking by

Bringing the surrounding natural landscape into the design was important to our team. The Dalles boasts stunning views of the Columbia Gorge and the wilderness borders the town. Large windows let natural daylight in and second floor waiting rooms offer grand vistas to the surrounding hills. The views serve in adding a calming quality to the interiors.