Greenbuild 2013 in Philadelphia was the site of a unique display—Pedia-Pod, a modular pediatric treatment room designed and built by NRB (USA) in Ephrata, Pa., in collaboration with the editors of Building Design+Construction, SGC Horizon LLC, and their team of medical design consultants. More than a thousand Greenbuilders toured the modular unit on November 20 and 21 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, in Philadelphia.
Off-site construction is gaining momentum and recognition within the AEC and building owner community as a viable alternative to traditional on-site construction methods. Pedia-Pod is a blend of architectural form and medical function that is relevant to the specialized, comforting care needed for the treatment of children.
The Pedia-Pod modular concept, with its sustainable design and construction principles, can be applied to many types of healthcare facility needs, from bathroom pods to physician offices, imaging clinics, ambulatory care centers, and even complete hospitals.
GROWING DEMAND FOR PREFAB IN HEALTHCARE
“We’re definitely seeing an increased demand for prefabricated and modular components being used in the healthcare market sector, especially with large hospital bed expansions and critical access hospitals,” said Allen Post, AIA, an architect with Perkins+Will’s Atlanta office who toured Pedia-Pod. “Whenever there is a lot of repetition, such as a patient bed tower with tens to hundreds of bathrooms, headwalls, and ceiling components, or rural area hospitals with a limited local construction labor force, off-site fabrication becomes a viable option.”
Post said that solutions that have the potential to reduce construction time and cost while improving quality and safety are becoming more accepted practices in the healthcare sector. “The Pedia-Pod prototype is an example of what off-site construction can achieve within the healthcare market,” he said.
Pedia-pod’s sofa can be converted into a pull-down bed (green area) for a parent who wishes to remain overnight with a hospitalized child.
Pedia-Pod combines green products with an efficient off-site construction process, creating a high level of sustainability.
Structural steel framing, steel deck, and steel stud infill lend durability to the building as well as a very high amount of recycled content. The building envelope contains closed-cell spray foam insulation with recycled content in the roof and floor, Greenguard-certified sustainable insulation in the walls, a specialized weather/rainscreen barrier, lightweight cement board subfloor, and mold- and moisture-resistant wall sheathing with 95% recycled content.
The structure has a white roof membrane with an SRI index of 99. The exterior cladding is a handsome architectural fiber cement panel containing Forest Stewardship Council–certified wood pulp and fly ash waste from landfills.
A unique interior drywall product actively removes harmful VOCs from the air, while another drywall component attenuates noise; both are moisture- and mold-resistant. The interior paint is a zero-VOC formula, and the floor finish is a long-lasting, slip-resistant product with recycled content requiring no harsh chemicals for cleaning. Millwork contains FSC-certified board.
The building also features high-performance windows, mechanized shades for daylighting control, energy-efficient lighting and controls, and water-saving plumbing fixtures.
“Building off-site in a controlled environment means better waste management, less vehicular travel, and less disruption at the site,” said Don Engle, General Manager, NRB (USA). “Because Pedia-Pod is one module, it was 100% complete when it left the plant. Once in place, it was set up and ready to go in just hours.”
After Greenbuild, Pedia-Pod was shipped back home to Ephrata and “recycled” for display purposes. Building owners, architects, and contractors will soon be able to tour the structure to see the level of complex features, finishes, and building science technology that off-site construction can bring to the healthcare and commercial/institutional construction markets.
For more on the Pedia-Pod, visit: http://www.bdcnetwork.com/greenzone2013/index.html
Mechanized roller shades let daylight in but can be closed with a handheld device from the patient bed for more privacy or less light.
A corner space offers comfortable seating for visitors and family members, plus a desktop area for parents wishing to catch up on work while the child is sleeping. Parts of the walls are covered with a dry-erase paint coating.
Artistic elements add color and ‘positive distraction’ for the child, as recommended by pediatric healthcare experts.
A cutout in Pedia-Pod’s cladding allowed Greenbuilders to see the correct method for installing energy-saving, high-performance vacuum insulation panels, a silicone air barrier system, and structural glazing sealant.
Patient area. Experts Jane Rohde, AIA, FIIDA, ACHA, Linda Gabel, IIDA, AAHID, and CBRE Healthcare advised on the design of the unit.
Last month, more than a thousand green builders toured Pedia-Pod at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia.
The ADA-compliant bathroom features grab bars throughout and an accessible shower.
Energy-efficient lighting/controls provide illumination without disrupting the child’s circadian rhythm.
A convenient desk area offers storage and organization for medical staff, while taking up minimal space.
Related Stories
Office Buildings | Apr 13, 2023
L.A. headquarters for startup Califia Farms incorporates post-pandemic hybrid workplace design concepts
The new Los Angeles headquarters for fast-growing Califia Farms, a brand of dairy alternative products, was designed by SLAM with the post-Covid hybrid work environment in mind. Located in Maxwell Coffee House, a historic production facility built in 1924 that has become a vibrant mixed-use complex, the office features a café bordered by generous meeting rooms.
Urban Planning | Apr 12, 2023
Watch: Trends in urban design for 2023, with James Corner Field Operations
Isabel Castilla, a Principal Designer with the landscape architecture firm James Corner Field Operations, discusses recent changes in clients' priorities about urban design, with a focus on her firm's recent projects.
3D Printing | Apr 11, 2023
University of Michigan’s DART Laboratory unveils Shell Wall—a concrete wall that’s lightweight and freeform 3D printed
The University of Michigan’s DART Laboratory has unveiled a new product called Shell Wall—which the organization describes as the first lightweight, freeform 3D printed and structurally reinforced concrete wall. The innovative product leverages DART Laboratory’s research and development on the use of 3D-printing technology to build structures that require less concrete.
Market Data | Apr 11, 2023
Construction crane count reaches all-time high in Q1 2023
Toronto, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Denver top the list of U.S/Canadian cities with the greatest number of fixed cranes on construction sites, according to Rider Levett Bucknall's RLB Crane Index for North America for Q1 2023.
University Buildings | Apr 11, 2023
Supersizing higher education: Tracking the rise of mega buildings on university campuses
Mega buildings on higher education campuses aren’t unusual. But what has been different lately is the sheer number of supersized projects that have been in the works over the last 12–15 months.
Contractors | Apr 10, 2023
What makes prefabrication work? Factors every construction project should consider
There are many factors requiring careful consideration when determining whether a project is a good fit for prefabrication. JE Dunn’s Brian Burkett breaks down the most important considerations.
Mixed-Use | Apr 7, 2023
New Nashville mixed-use high-rise features curved, stepped massing and wellness focus
Construction recently started on 5 City Blvd, a new 15-story office and mixed-use building in Nashville, Tenn. Located on a uniquely shaped site, the 730,000-sf structure features curved, stepped massing and amenities with a focus on wellness.
Affordable Housing | Apr 7, 2023
Florida’s affordable housing law expected to fuel multifamily residential projects
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed into law affordable housing legislation that includes $711 million for housing programs and tax breaks for developers. The new law will supersede local governments’ zoning, density, and height requirements.
Energy Efficiency | Apr 7, 2023
Department of Energy makes $1 billion available for states, local governments to upgrade building codes
The U.S. Department of Energy is offering funding to help state and local governments upgrade their building codes to boost energy efficiency. The funding will support improved building codes that reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency, according to DOE.
Architects | Apr 6, 2023
New tool from Perkins&Will will make public health data more accessible to designers and architects
Called PRECEDE, the dashboard is an open-source tool developed by Perkins&Will that draws on federal data to identify and assess community health priorities within the U.S. by location. The firm was recently awarded a $30,000 ASID Foundation Grant to enhance the tool.