In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina forever altered the Gulf Coast, leaving widespread devastation in its wake. Among the affected institutions was Keesler Medical Center, located just miles from the coastline. Though the hurricane struck as a Category 3 storm, the hospital’s greatest damage came from the powerful storm surge that followed. Nearly half the facility was flooded—some areas by as much as four feet—rendering the power systems inoperable and halting medical services when they were needed most. The hospital’s ground floor was completely destroyed, wiping out its energy plant, cafeteria, radiation oncology suite, and other essential functions. Compounding the challenge, the southeast patient tower suffered structural damage and was condemned.
At the same time, Keesler had just fallen under the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) legislation. Unlike other military facilities where BRAC downsized services, Keesler’s designation was elevated to a community hospital, effectively increasing its responsibilities to the local civilian population. The timing created a paradox: just as the facility lost much of its operational capacity, it was tasked with expanding its role in the region’s healthcare delivery system.
In response, RLF was brought in to help hospital leadership develop a comprehensive master plan that not only replaced what had been lost but also prepared the facility for the future. This effort aligned with a broader shift within the Department of Defense toward evidence-based design and patient-centered care, principles that emphasized efficiency, healing environments, and reduced medical errors. The plan introduced permanent infrastructure upgrades, including a new central energy plant and a replacement radiation oncology suite, both serving as early milestones of resilience and renewal. The subsequent addition of a 48-bed, 141,700-sq.-ft. inpatient tower overlooking the Biloxi Bay pushed innovation even further, incorporating same-handed patient rooms, decentralized nurse stations, and restorative views. These design elements were all rooted in evidence-based design that improved staff workflow, enhanced patient safety, and fostered a model of healing tailored to both military personnel and the surrounding community.
Critical to the hospital’s recovery was the comprehensive master planning conducted by RLF. Through detailed site assessments, stakeholder interviews, and in-depth analysis, the team evaluated every aspect of the hospital’s layout and infrastructure. From replacing basement-housed mechanical systems to relocating high-value equipment above flood plains, the approach emphasized resilience without compromising care delivery. Design concepts ranged from fortified walls and levees to entirely new elevated buildings, each idea weighed against the goal of protecting the hospital from future storms while preserving functionality.
Equally important was the reimagining of the hospital’s interior. Research shows that emotional well-being plays a key role in healing, and Keesler’s design team leaned into this evidence. Every detail, from the use of soft, coastal-inspired colors to natural textures and floral graphics, was selected to foster a sense of calm and familiarity. Wayfinding was improved through the repetition of colors and materials on each floor, and public areas were softened with intimate seating and human-scaled finishes. The result is an environment that not only supports physical recovery but also provides emotional reassurance to patients, families, and staff alike.
Keesler Medical Center’s transformation stands as a model of resilience, community-centered design, and forward-thinking planning. In the accompanying video, Bob Yohe, Senior Medical Planner at RLF, shares firsthand insights into the journey of recovery, the challenges of rebuilding after Katrina, and the architectural choices thathelped restore a vital community asset with compassion, clarity, and enduring strength.
Katrina Clips courtesy of Jovi Prevot, 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, U.S. Army via DVIDS