With the original purchase of land approved by President Harry Truman in 1946 and construction completed in 1952, the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Louisville has seen many changes over the years but none as dramatic as the new entryway that now greets patrons and families. Although modest by size, the 12,600-square-foot. expansion and renovation project creates a bold new image. The expansion also importantly includes establishment of a high-tech Polytrauma Clinic for the treatment of stress-related disorders.
Constructed on a picturesque outcrop overlooking the Ohio River, the building’s original front entrance allowed minimal room for nearby parking. As the automobile played an increasingly prominent role in the American lifestyle, large parking lots were eventually constructed on available land at the rear of the building. As a result, the easiest entry to the building was through a diminutive service-level entrance at the back. This caused considerable wayfinding issues for ambulatory patients and family members alike. That problem was eliminated upon completion of the renovation. Now, the dramatic entrance is clearly visible to everyone approaching the building. The two-story glass vestibule proudly displays a giant American flag in a symbolic gesture to all who have served.