Located in a rural area in Appalachia along the Hocking River, Athens Medical Campus is a state-of-the-art wellness and healthcare facility. NAC's design draws on local vernacular architecture and the region’s natural beauty to create a familiar, low-stress environment for patients. The new, four-story prefab structure renews connections between the people of Athens, OH: the agricultural community, members of the college town, and the medical staff—strengthening trust and wellness for everyone.

NAC collaborated with Molen Design on the exterior, highlighting rural farmhouse aesthetics with rustic vertical panels and bold colors. Athens's rural location limited the availability of local contractors and construction teams, so NAC used an off-site design and construction delivery model to build the largest healthcare facility of its kind in the United States. 16-by-35-foot prefabricated modular units were built in New Holland, Pennsylvania, and then transported 400 miles to Athens, where they were carefully integrated onto the building foundations. This process streamlined construction without reducing the quality of design or engineering.

Once installed, the prefab modules form a seamless interior. Finishing touches, added on site, integrated the beautiful interior finishes and murals that reflect the colors and textures of Hocking County’s natural beauty. In addition to being a fully-equipped hospital with 108 exam/patient rooms, Athens Medical Center amenities include a small cafe on the first floor, with an outdoor seating area overlooking the Hocking River, and respite areas for staff on each floor. NAC's design enhances the visitor and patient experience with naturally lit waiting areas on the second, third, and fourth floors and artwork reflecting local scenery. “Cozy cabins” on each of these concourse floors offers more intimate places of repose within the hospital. These include a seating area with a fireplace, a library with reading materials, and a space featuring works by local artists.

Athens Medical Center project set a new standard for design and construction for Memorial Health System, demonstrating how new prefabrication methods support wellness in rural communities.