In an era where mental health care is gaining long-overdue attention, the environments in which treatment takes place are becoming just as vital as the therapies themselves. A new outpatient facility in Walnut Creek, Calif., for Embark Behavioral Health exemplifies this shift. Designed by Hendrick, in collaboration with Embark’s in-house studio, Thirteen & Crowne, the project reimagines what a mental health care space can and should feel like for teens, young adults and their families.
A Purpose-Driven Partnership
Embark Behavioral Health has made its mark as a leader in evidence-based mental health treatment, offering a nurturing and holistic approach for young people facing mental health challenges and co-occurring substance use disorders. When it came time to design their latest outpatient facility, the organization sought a partner that could translate their mission into physical space.
That partner was Hendrick, an architecture and design firm with a reputation for human-centric, commercial environments. Together with Thirteen & Crowne, the team was tasked with a sensitive, multifaceted challenge: create a facility that welcomes all ages, supports family involvement and removes the clinical sterility so often associated with healthcare design.
Balancing Comfort and Clinical Function
One of the primary design challenges was crafting an environment that acknowledges the developmental nuances of teens and young adults without leaning too heavily on juvenile or overly institutional design elements. The team needed to strike a delicate balance, a place that feels safe and approachable for a 14-year-old as well as a 22-year-old, and equally welcoming to parents and caregivers.
“The mental health care environment plays a significant role in a patient’s willingness to engage and return for ongoing treatment,” said Stephen Wells, principal at Hendrick. “Our design philosophy centered around creating a space that’s less about looking like a healthcare facility and more about evoking the warmth and comfort of a home.”
The facility’s lobby was a cornerstone of this approach. Styled to resemble a residential living room, the space uses warm, layered finishes, cozy furniture, and carefully curated accessories to replace the sterile, impersonal feel of traditional healthcare waiting areas. By eliminating visual barriers and fostering a sense of familiarity, the design encourages openness, helping patients feel at ease before even stepping into a therapy room.
A Flexible, Inclusive Layout
Beyond the lobby, Embark Walnut Creek’s layout offers versatility to accommodate a range of therapeutic needs. The 100-client-per-day facility houses three distinct types of therapy spaces: large group activity rooms; family/group meeting spaces; and individual therapy rooms. Additional areas like café-style lounges, tutoring rooms and informal gathering spots allow patients and families to connect and decompress in between sessions.
This zoning strategy supports Embark’s holistic treatment model, which emphasizes family involvement as a critical factor in successful outcomes. By designing spaces that feel equally inviting for parents, caregivers and patients, the facility helps break down the stigmas and barriers that often keep families at a distance from mental health care.
Designing for Impact and Expansion
In addition to meeting therapeutic and aesthetic goals, Hendrick and Thirteen & Crowne faced a practical challenge: keeping costs in check to support Embark’s ambitious national expansion plan. The organization has set a goal to reduce teen anxiety, depression, and suicide rates to all-time lows by 2028, an effort that hinges on making quality mental health care more accessible in communities across the country.
To deliver high-quality, scalable design, the team employed elegant, cost-effective solutions like quick-ship furniture and durable, budget-conscious materials for flooring and lighting. These selections maintained the elevated look and feel of the Embark brand without the higher price tag of custom millwork or imported finishes.
The result is a thoughtful, adaptable template that Embark can replicate in new locations, allowing them to rapidly expand their reach without sacrificing the quality of care environments.
Raising the Bar in Mental Health Design
Since opening, Embark Walnut Creek has reported a 95% attendance rate — far surpassing the industry average of 65%. While multiple factors contribute to this success, Hendrick’s human-centered design is undoubtedly playing a pivotal role.
The project signals a broader movement within commercial architecture and interior design: the recognition that environments, particularly in healthcare, must address emotional as well as functional needs. As more organizations invest in environments that support well-being, designs like Embark Walnut Creek are setting a new standard for what mental health spaces can achieve.
With its blend of residential warmth, inclusive design and scalable, cost-efficient solutions, the Embark Walnut Creek facility stands as a model not just for future Embark locations, but for the future of behavioral health environments nationwide.
