An innovative project in the design of health care facilities, this project challenges the normative design standards for the building’s handrail system. Rather than accepting the handrail as a code determined element, the railing is reconfigured as a sculptural line. The handrails extend through the central activity and social area of this unique resident hospital facility operated by the city of San Francisco. The transformed handrail is code compliant and dependable, yet acts as a mnemonic device which fills an everyday activity with interest and new possibilities.
