IHS Alamo Navajo Health Center

Seven Generations Architecture + Engineering provided a site analysis, schematic design, and RFP bridging documents for a new 64,000-square-foot healthcare facility spread over 41 acres on the Alamo Navajo Indian Reservation.

The Alamo Navajo Health Center will be a modern, technologically-advanced healthcare facility that will offer expanded outpatient and community health departments and a full array of ancillary and support services. The north wing will contain clinical programs such as wellness, diabetes, and community health spaces.

The south wing will contain the main clinical areas on the first floor, including a laboratory, diagnostic imaging, primary care, behavioral health and emergency medical services, and a pharmacy featuring a drive-thru. The south wing’s second level will feature the dental clinic, mechanical rooms, conference rooms and administrative suites.

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The facility will also provide space for exam rooms, consultation rooms, clean/soiled utility rooms, storage rooms, staff work areas, an exercise room, physical therapy area, and staff lounge. A circular courtyard will be located between the two wings.

Textured stone will extend from the exterior to the interior to provide a seamless transition between the natural and built environments. A balance of wood tones, warm stone, and a nature-inspired color palette will present a comfortable healing atmosphere. Local landscape elements, including the mountains, mesas, and arroyos, will be represented throughout the building’s interior design.

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Culturally significant animals – elk, deer, roadrunners, and golden eagles – are used for interior wayfinding, artwork, decorative light fixtures, floor patterns, and inlays within terrazzo flooring.  

The landscape will highlight specific plants with medicinal value in Navajo culture. The site will also include a 213-stall parking lot, pedestrian sidewalks, a looped drive capable of supporting delivery trucks and EMS vehicles, fencing, stormwater management, offsite drainage, and a new boulevard entry.

The healthcare facility will achieve LEED Gold Certification and feature an on-site renewable energy system, solar hot water system, PV carport canopies, rainwater harvesting facilities, and electric vehicle car charging stalls.