The foundation stone has been laid for what is expected to be the first acute care hospital made of solid wood in North America. The 97,000 square foot Quinte Health Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital will be constructed in Picton, Ontario, Canada. Completion is scheduled for 2027.
Designed by HDR and built by M. Sullivan & Son, the solid wood structure combines sustainable construction practices with advanced medical technology. According to HDR, unencapsulated solid wood sequesters carbon better than any other structural material.
“It’s about balancing environmental and social sustainability, in the sense that solid wood in healthcare is simultaneously about human comfort and environmental protection,” said Jason-Emery Groen, design lead at HDR, in a statement.
To optimize energy consumption and reduce carbon footprint, the design incorporates natural light, energy efficient windows and sustainable materials throughout, including the structure.
Sustainable infrastructure includes a high-performance building envelope, geothermal energy exchange, building-integrated photovoltaics, electric vehicle-ready parking, native landscaping, composite wood cladding and green roofs. The building will be ready for future electrification and net zero carbon status.
In keeping with biophilic principles, the design throughout the facility provides access to nature. Patients and families have access to a public garden that forms the centerpiece of the project, while an off-stage garden provides opportunities for peace and privacy for staff.
The hospital's expanded clinical capabilities include 23 inpatient beds, an emergency department, diagnostic imaging, procedures and comprehensive outpatient care services.
“The new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital is more than a modern healthcare facility – it reflects the remarkable pride this community has had in its home hospital for more than a century,” Stacey Daub, president and CEO of Quinte Health, said in a statement . “Transitioning from an older, outdated building to an innovative all-timber construction allows Quinte Health to meet the latest standards in healthcare and provide a safer, more resilient space that serves both our community and the thousands of visitors who visit each beautiful region come year.”
The new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital will be located adjacent to the existing hospital, which will remain operational during construction.