Margulies Perruzzi Architects (MPA) of Boston, Mass., has been chosen to design space at Massachusetts General Hospital for the Home Base Program, an initiative to help veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The program is sponsored by the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital.

The 4,000-sq.-ft. of space to be designed will pay tribute to its baseball roots while addressing the needs of wounded veterans.

The aesthetics of the space are tailored first and foremost to the concerns of its patients; the design is thus architecturally simple and subdued, creating a calm and caring atmosphere. “Because the Home Base Program at Massachusetts General Hospital helps veterans affected by post-traumatic stress disorders and traumatic brain injuries, it was important to create a space that was architecturally simple and welcoming to patients," comments Joe Flynn, senior associate at Margulies Perruzzi Architects.

"Each finish decision was reviewed with an eye toward its ability to generate a calm, caring environment for returning veterans and their families. Careful consideration was given to color, tone, and the overall professional feel of the space. After consulting with veterans on their preferences, soft green hues were selected for the space as a subtle visual nod to the military background of the program’s clients," Flynn adds, "In the design of the main reception desk, actual baseball bats were incorporated into the composition, a distinct reference to the support of the Red Sox Foundation. This simple design articulation was instituted to remind visitors of the generous investment that the Red Sox Foundation has made to support returning veterans.”

Besides aesthetics, the design confronts various practical needs. The Home Base Program offers family support, education, and research programs. The design incorporates these elements alongside clinical areas. It conveys a professional feel while welcoming wounded soldiers and their families to seek healing.

“We are honored to be part of this significant effort to provide help to our returning servicemen and servicewomen,” says Flynn in a statement. “The design of the Home Base Program space will provide a comforting place for our veterans and the medical caregivers that help them.”