FACILITY
Texas Behavioral Health Center | Dallas, TX
DESIGNERS
Shield Casework
MANUFACTURER
Shield Casework
CONTRACTOR
Whiting-Turner
COMPLETION DATE
2026
SCOPE
200 Solid Surface Adult Patient Room Suites
92 Solid Surface Pediatric Patient Room Suites
About this project
The Texas Behavioral Health Center is rising in Dallas’ Southwestern Medical District as a transformative, state-of-the-art psychiatric hospital developed through a partnership between UT Southwestern Medical Center and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Designed by HKS as part of the Dallas State Hospital replacement project, the nearly 500,000-square-foot facility provides 292 inpatient beds - including 200 for adults and 92 for pediatric patients - addressing a critical shortage of behavioral health services in North Texas. The center integrates evidence-based design with holistic healing environments, featuring therapeutic courtyards, sensory spaces, art and music therapy areas, and advanced clinical and research facilities. Supported in part by a significant investment from Children’s Health for the pediatric component, the project represents a major expansion of accessible, modern mental health care and is expected to open in 2026, significantly strengthening the region’s behavioral health infrastructure.
Behavioral health patient room design
In 2023, Shield Casework was selected to manufacture the custom adult and pediatric behavioral health patient room furniture suites for Texas Behavioral Health Center. With an intent focus on durability, cleanability, and holistic care, Shield designed its products using acrylic solid surface.
The suite of furniture includes: bed, nightstand, desk, wardrobe cabinet, bench, in-wall cubby, windowsill ledge and sink vanity. Features include: full acrylic solid surface construction, lifetime warranty, roundover edges, thermoformed radius corners on bench, integral under-mount sink, integral rib structure for added strength, excess material length account for one-site scribing, and access panels with tamper-resistant screws.
In total, 292 behavioral health patient room furniture suites were delivered to Texas Behavioral Health Center, bringing holistic design to the patients who need it most.
The line between acute physical and behavioral care environments is being blended with intention. It is our responsibility to design hospitals to support the treatment and needs of the body and mind holistically, honoring the delicate qualities that make us human.
RACHEL ROME
Studio Practice Leader, Mental Behavioral Health
HKS