Tschannen Eye Institute | TEF Design

The Ernest E. Tschannen Eye Institute Building consolidates state-of-the-art optometry and ophthalmology patient care, clinical research and training, and departmental offices under one roof to support the delivery of transformational eye care, train future ophthalmologists, and increase capacity for clinical trials by leading vision scientists by 50 percent.  

The project integrates a partial renovation of the existing Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) with a major new addition. The resulting 78,500-square-foot building reserves a floor of clinics for general medical center use, as an expansion of the ACC, and includes 64,160square feet of space dedicated to Eye Center operations, including physician offices and conference areas.

Designed in partnership with HGA Architects – and enriched by the expertise of architect Chris Downey, who lost his sight in 2008 – TEF collaborated on project conceptualization and led the programming, interior planning and design of the project, crafting a healing environment that balances efficiency and inspiration, while reducing patient anxiety.  The design features a unified circulation spine running the length of the building – parallel to an exterior landscaped promenade to provide access to nature – making wayfinding intuitive and seamlessly connecting the clinics in the new building with those in the renovated areas. Clinial waiting and reception areas are located off of the spine.  Together with the use of standardized, multi-functional room sizes, this organizational strategy enhances clinical flexibility by accommodating clinical program reconfigured over time.

Additional components designed to soothe and support patients, include:  high-contrast colors and textures to support better wayfinding; biophilia, including natural diffused daylighting (critical for the sight impaired, some of whom have their eyes dilated during their visit) and patterns and views that connect patients with nature; wayfinding elements that contribute to the legibility of patient and physician circulation; and amenities including an optical shop, outdoor terrace and exterior promenade, artwork, wall seating and lighting

The project was delivered through a design-build model led by McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. and supported by Vanir Construction Management. 

This design-build project consolidates all of the nationally-rankedUC Davis Health Eye Center strengths under one roof, providing hope for sight restoration to the vision-impaired through advanced technology, pioneering research and some of the world’s best eye care clinicians.

Project Team
Client: UC Davis Health
Design Architect: HGA in partnership with TEF
Architect of Record: HGA
MEP Engineer: Guttmann & Blaevoet
Structural Engineer: Buehler Engineering Inc.
General Contractor: McCarthy Building Companies
Construction Management services: Vanir
Civil Engineering: Siegfried Engineering
Landscape Architecture: Quadriga
Acoustics Consulting: The Acoustics and Vibration Group, Inc.