HDR was selected to design Humber River’s new 1.7-million-sf hospital in Toronto. The hospital will be the largest acute care hospital in the greater Toronto area and the first in North America to automate all of its operational processes.
As the first fully digital hospital in North America, the hospital is designed to support the latest medical technology in a completely digital environment.
Jerry Jeter, healthcare principal at HDR, notes that, “although many hospitals have digital components, Humber River is the first hospital in North America to fully integrate and automate all of its processes; everything is done digitally.”
Upon entering the hospital, the ability to easily access data and information enables users to “connect” from points such as kiosks situated throughout the hospital or on mobile devices anywhere in the building. Once in patient rooms, Integrated Bedside Terminals (IBTs) allow patients to control their environment, order restaurant-style room service, and communicate with caregivers and family members via video. Doctors and nurses use voice recognition software to complete charts verbally, and smart bed technology monitors patients’ vital signs and updates electronic medical records immediately. Lab work specimens are delivered via pneumatic tubes, with results returned to hand-held mobile devices within minutes. While all this is happening, Automated-Guided Vehicles (AGVs) deliver supplies and equipment to units and clinics, allowing caregivers to fully devote their time to patient care. “The new facility is as automated as they come,” added Jeter. “The technology reinvented workflows and makes patient care a top priority.”
In addition to being digital, the hospital incorporates lean and “green” sustainable design principles. The lean approach to planning emphasizes the use of on-stage/off-stage areas inside the facility, as well as consistent floor layouts, standardized rooms and clinics, and centralized support spaces. Green design is realized by maximizing daylighting opportunities, orienting the building to minimize heat gain, using sustainable materials and high-performance building systems, and incorporating green roofs on 50% of the roofs throughout the campus. The facility adheres to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system guidelines with a goal of achieving LEED Silver certification.
Visible from King’s Highway 401, Humber River is designed as a local neighborhood landmark. The design of the hospital takes inspiration from the architecture of Toronto, following clean rectilinear lines and using primarily glass, metal panel, precast concrete and masonry. The hospital is composed of three main forms: the 14-storey inpatient tower, which increases patient capacity from 549 to 656 beds; the ambulatory clinic block, designed to give each clinic its own front door; and the diagnostic and treatment podium. Adjacent to the hospital building is the centerpiece of the entire campus, the South Plaza. The terraced plaza will support community events and feature outdoor seating and areas for respite.
The value of the contract with Plenary Health Care Partnerships in today’s dollars is approximately $1.75 billion. The contract cost covers the design and construction of the hospital, building maintenance, life-cycle repair and renewal, as well as project financing. The Toronto-based Plenary Health Care Partnerships team includes: Plenary Health and HCP Social Infrastructure (developer), PCL Constructors (construction), HDR (architecture), Johnson Controls (facilities management), and RBC Capital Markets (financial advisor).
The hospital broke ground on December 2nd and is scheduled to open in late 2015. BD+C
Related Stories
Architects | Jan 13, 2016
‘Socially engaged’ architect Alejandro Aravena named 2016 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate
Known for his inventive social housing initiatives in his native Chile, Aravena epitomizes the revival of a more socially engaged architect, the Pritzker jury stated.
Architects | Jan 12, 2016
Dear Architecture: It's time to create a level field for female designers
If architecture took one moment to be introspective, it would discover appalling imbalances between the opportunities for women and men, as Perkins+Will's Vershaé Hite and Brittany Eaker-Kirkland wrote in an open letter.
Great Solutions | Jan 6, 2016
Shepley Bulfinch develops elegant design solution to address behavioral issues in emergency departments
ED scheme allows staff to isolate unruly patients and visitors in a secure area.
Market Data | Jan 5, 2016
Majority of AEC firms saw growth in 2015, remain optimistic for 2016: BD+C survey
By all indications, 2015 was another solid year for U.S. architecture, engineering, and construction firms.
Architects | Jan 5, 2016
Potential vs. credential: How men and women differ in career progress
Recent research suggests that women face yet another career impediment: the confidence gap.
Architects | Dec 17, 2015
Capturing utilization and activity data in the workplace
While utilization is an important metric to inform how frequently a space is used, it’s important to consider activity data.
Architects | Dec 17, 2015
Four winners named in NYC sidewalk shed competition
Firms in the Construction Shed Design Competition made designs that are simple to build and use readily-available materials.
Architects | Dec 16, 2015
Lohan Anderson to close, join Wight & Co.
Dirk Lohan, Floyd Anderson and eight others will be hired by the Illinois-based Wight & Co. next month.
Architects | Dec 16, 2015
Architects create commission for diversity advancement
The 20-member group will assess recent data, set a plan of action, and report on results to the AIA Board of Directors.
Architects | Dec 15, 2015
ULI names Lord Richard Rogers the 2015 J.C. Nichols Prize winner
Rogers, Founder of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, works on projects that “shine a spotlight on the challenges that people in urban areas are facing."
