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Remaking an Institution Innovative Design Creates Therapeutic Residential Environment
May, 2007
By Emmanuelle Vieira
Many managers of aging Canadian health care facilities are beginning to see the benefits of converting old buildings into innovative and green health care environments. At Ste-Anne's Hospital in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, a long- term psychiatric-geriatric facility has been given the feel of a contemporary home rather than a typical health care institution.
The first phase of this 340,000-square-foot hospital, which is owned by the Veterans Affairs Canada and Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), has just been completed. This included construction of a new thermal power plant, an electrical substation and a residential care annex adapted to the needs of older patients (132 beds).
The second phase - renovation and expansion of an existing 1970s-era pavilion - will begin this year and be completed in 2009. This will create a new contemporary look for the old tower, and will accommodate a community centre and 33 individual rooms linked to an activity area and wards on 10 levels, for a total of 330 beds.
In a future phase, the hospital will redevelop common areas and the patient care section in the main pavilion, in addition to renovating the old Edith Temple Pavilion. By 2009, Ste-Anne's Hospital will offer 460 beds in private rooms.
The ultimate goal of the $67.7-million project is a green and welcoming therapeutic residential environment. An integrated process and a true complicity between client and architects underpin the Ste-Anne Hospital's project.
The designers - ARCOP architects in joint venture with Cardinal Hardy / Provencher Roy/ Jodoin Lamarre Pratte & Associates architects (PCJA) - have strived to establish a strong visual link between the user and the landscape in order to break with the traditional isolated hospital concept.
In the annex, this can be seen through the shape of the wings, which allow maximum window surface and interaction with therapeutic gardens. In the main existing pavilion, the architectural design team decided to reopen the concrete structure and replace the prefab concrete panels with an immense glass curtain wall that allows views, and maximizes natural light and ventilation.
From a user's perspective, the hospital is no longer a labyrinth of dark or artificial corridors. It becomes an interesting experience similar to a processional path that links all interior and exterior spaces through different layers of privacy and controlled views.
The architects sought to design spaces with a residential character, but always respecting the personnel's requirements and according to labour and health safety rules. The spatial organization and appointment of the physical environment promotes well being for people with dementia, pain and post-traumatic stress disorders. To minimize the sensory over-stimulation that can afflict them, the architectural design team created quiet rooms with soft colours, eliminated unnecessary clutter, and provided bathrooms that preserve the veterans' dignity and privacy.
The design also supports residents' sense of orientation. Each unit has its own colour so that specific rooms or activity spaces are easy to find.
For people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, hospital administration and designers decided to develop a Snoezelen room - a multi-sensory room in which stimulating activities and experiences are used to increase awareness and positive behaviours for individuals with severe sensory impairment or neurological challenges.
From the layout of the site to the selection of materials, the project adheres to the principles of sustainable development. The annex's orientation has been determined according to the sun's trajectory with a layout that breaks out of the traditional hospital "T" format.
It is a pilot project for using geothermal ground source energy for heating and air conditioning in this building type. Green building materials, windows that can be opened, ambient light and natural ventilation reduce electricity consumption and improve personal comfort. The combined effect of these technologies will result in energy savings at least 40% greater than compared to conventional construction methods.
The preceding article was provided by ARCOP architects, the designers of the Ste-Anne's Hospital project. For more information, see the web site at www.arcop.com.
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