The Cleveland Clinic wanted the new Jeffrey and Patricia Cole Pavilion at the Cole Eye Institute space to reflect their exceptional patient experience while advancing eye care, research, and education. Guided by this vision, the design team created a four-story addition based on a team-based operating model. The new space improves patient access, expands clinical and research capabilities, and enriches the experience for both patients and staff.

A clean, minimalist aesthetic complements the addition’s function, with carefully considered materials and design elements to support the specific needs of vision care patients. At the heart of the design is a three-sided glass atrium, serving as a seamless connector between the existing institute and the new addition, fostering a sense of calm and visual clarity in the expanded facility.

The addition features an ophthalmic surgical center with 12 operating rooms, three refractive surgery procedure rooms, and 50 eye exam rooms. It also includes administration offices and space for education and research. A multi-phase construction strategy allowed current clinical practices to remain operational throughout the process as 165,000 square feet of new construction and 131,000 square feet of renovated space were completed.

Designed in partnership with Bostwick Design Partnership, the team is now leading the second phase, which will renovate the existing Cole Eye Institute building housing pediatric care and eye imaging. This phase is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.