flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

World’s first prefab operating room with fully automated disinfection technology opens in New York

Healthcare Facilities

World’s first prefab operating room with fully automated disinfection technology opens in New York

The operating room is part of the largest orthopedic outpatient facility in the Northeast.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | July 19, 2023
World’s first prefab operating room with fully automated disinfection technology opens in New York
The facility, developed in a former Sears store, features a system designed by Synergy Med, called Clean Cube, that had never been applied to an operating space before. Rendering: Synergy Med Global Design Solutions

The first prefabricated operating room in the world with fully automated disinfection technology opened recently at the University of Rochester Medicine Orthopedics Surgery Center in Henrietta, N.Y. The facility, developed in a former Sears store, features a system designed by Synergy Med, called Clean Cube, that had never been applied to an operating space before.

The components of the Clean Cube operating room were custom premanufactured and then shipped to the site to be assembled. The system was installed in a few weeks. It is composed of modular glass walls that are easier to clean than drywall or stainless steel, and hermetically sealed doors. All mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are incorporated into the walls and ceiling. Air handling systems tailored for medical use and automated disinfection systems create a sterile field of air around the patient during surgery.

Development of the Clean Cube system was motivated by a 1 in 25 rate of hospital-acquired infections. The technology is billed as delivering “near-perfect disinfection” to the operating room.

The opening of the Orthopedic Surgery Center completes phase 2 of the 350,000 sf University of Rochester Orthopedic & Physical Performance Center. The delivery of the next phase, a four-story rehab and sports performance center that will include a grand courtyard and sports rehab services, is on track for completion in fall 2023.

“The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) will be a defining healthcare project for the country,” says Scott Hansche, principal with SLAM, architect of record for the project. “From a former Sears department store to a world-leading surgery center, we are addressing healthcare equity gaps with quality design and innovation,” Hansche says.

Project team:
Owner and/or developer: Wilmorite
Design architect: Perkins&Will's New York studio
Architect of record: The S/L/A/M Collaborative
Local Associate Architect: Dwyer Architectural
MEP/IT Engineer : ME Engineering
Structural Engineer: Jensen BRV
General contractor/construction manager: Le Chase
Civil Engineer and Landscape Architect: Bergmann Associates

Related Stories

| Aug 11, 2010

Portland Cement Association offers blast resistant design guide for reinforced concrete structures

Developed for designers and engineers, "Blast Resistant Design Guide for Reinforced Concrete Structures" provides a practical treatment of the design of cast-in-place reinforced concrete structures to resist the effects of blast loads.  It explains the principles of blast-resistant design, and how to determine the kind and degree of resistance a structure needs as well as how to specify the required materials and details.

| Aug 11, 2010

AIA selects three projects for National Healthcare Design Awards

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH) have selected the recipients of the AIA National Healthcare Design Awards program. The AIA Healthcare Awards program showcases the best of healthcare building design and healthcare design-oriented research.  Projects exhibit conceptual strengths that solve aesthetic, civic, urban, and social concerns as well as the requisite functional and sustainability concerns of a hospital.

| Aug 11, 2010

Gensler, HOK, HDR among the nation's leading reconstruction design firms, according to BD+C's Giants 300 report

A ranking of the Top 100 Reconstruction Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants

| Aug 11, 2010

RSMeans/RCD forecast 14% drop in hospital construction for 2009

RSMeans forecasts a 14% drop in hospital construction in 2009 compared to 2008, with $17.1 billion in registered hospital projects as of June 30, 2009. The Reed Construction Data unit finds renovation of healthcare facilities increasing, from 36% of projects in 2008, to 40% of projects in the pipeline in the first six months of 2009.

| Aug 11, 2010

ASHRAE introduces building energy label prototype

Most of us know the fuel efficiency of our cars, but what about our buildings? ASHRAE is working to change that, moving one step closer today to introducing its building energy labeling program with release of a prototype label at its 2009 Annual Conference in Louisville, Ky.

| Aug 11, 2010

10 tips for mitigating influenza in buildings

Adopting simple, common-sense measures and proper maintenance protocols can help mitigate the spread of influenza in buildings. In addition, there are system upgrades that can be performed to further mitigate risks. Trane Commercial Systems offers 10 tips to consider during the cold and flu season.

| Aug 11, 2010

McCarthy, Skanska among nation's largest healthcare contractors, according to BD+C's Giants 300 report

A ranking of the Top 50 Healthcare Contractors based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category




halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021