Guilford County Behavioral Health Center
Developed through a unique partnership between Cone Health, Alexander Youth Network, and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the Guilford County Crisis Center reimagines how communities respond to behavioral health needs.
LOCATION Greensboro, NC
COMPLETED 2021
SIZE 53,000 SF
PHOTOGRAPHER Keith Isaacs
Integrated Care Model
The campus co-locates a Peer Center, Outpatient Center, 16-chair Behavioral Health Urgent Care, and a 16-bed Adult Facility-Based Crisis (FBC) Center, allowing patients to receive the appropriate level of care in a setting tailored to their needs. The integrated care model also supports whole-person wellness, enabling individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis to access routine medical services—from chronic disease management to prescription support—without navigating multiple providers or facilities.
Every aspect of the facility was carefully considered to create a welcoming and therapeutic atmosphere that fosters comfort, reduces anxiety, and supports recovery. Abundant daylight, views to nature, and visual connections to the outdoors are woven throughout the building, offering moments of respite and reinforcing a sense of connection to the surrounding environment. Windows positioned at corridor termini and within patient spaces draw natural light deep into the facility, creating bright, uplifting interiors that support emotional wellbeing.
Design Details
Experiential Graphic Design (EGD) plays a central role in shaping the patient experience. Rather than relying on clinical finishes, the design incorporates inspiring artwork, nature-inspired graphics, and durable wallcoverings that transform waiting and circulation spaces into environments of encouragement and hope. These elements provide positive distractions, support intuitive wayfinding, and help foster a sense of calm from the moment visitors enter the facility.
In the residential crisis stabilization wings, the design emphasizes openness, transparency, and choice. Shared spaces are organized to encourage social interaction and peer support while maintaining clear sightlines and a strong sense of safety. Patient rooms balance privacy with access to natural light, creating environments that feel restorative rather than restrictive.
