Dana Wilke’s Philo (Sophy)
By Isaiah Montoya
Philo Wilke Partnership, a healthcare design architecture firm, has started programming and design to renovate the four-story Annex building for University Medical Center (UMC) on their main campus.
Because the building is currently occupied, PhiloWilke is also challenged with phasing the project so people can move and/or relocate. “Approximately 80% of our work involves renovation in occupied facilities, so we take great care to minimize disruption to the patients and staff,” said Dana Wilke, Managing Partner of PhiloWilke. “The age of the building also dictates that we redesign the mechanical and electrical systems, deal with potential asbestos abatement requirements and increase handicap accessibility.”
When asked how Mr. Wilke got interested in medical architecture, he explained it was a matter of influence and luck. “My dad was an engineer, so that pushed me to the technical aspects of drawing and designing. But, my first job out of school in 1971 was as a planner for a hospital management company. This was where my interest for healthcare really got started,” he said. “I have dedicated my career and started this firm specifically to serve healthcare, medical, science and technology clients. It is extremely complicated work, but the most rewarding.”
Mr. Wilke began his firm with Roger Philo in 1985 in Houston. Their office in El Paso opened in January. “This is only our second office,” said Wilke. “We came here because El Paso and the surrounding areas are really unique. There is so much going on here and a lot of opportunity.”
PhiloWilke’s experience spans both large and small projects for major institutions and systems throughout Texas, including M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Children’s Medical Center - Dallas, the VA, Methodist Healthcare System, Memorial Hermann Healthcare System and medical branches for the University of Texas. “There are really important, big hospitals here in El Paso,” he added, hence the desire to have an office in El Paso. “We have the right expertise to offer to this community.”
PhiloWilke is a full-service architectural firm. Mr. Wilke said that, “we can work with a hospital no matter where they are in the planning process. Our firm can help them formulate ideas, budget and schedule from the very beginning and then see the project through to completion and occupancy.”
He continued, “Most of our architects are LEED certified, which means we are always attempting to find new ways to conserve energy and resources in building design, maintenance and operations.”
As for the current project’s status, Mr. Wilke said, “The UMC project is going great and it is a lot of fun. We are in El Paso to stay and look forward to contributing not only our passion for medical architecture, but our knowledge and experience as well.”
“Stay tuned to CityBeatMagazine.net for updates on the project’s completion.
