This 178-bed greenfield community hospital will become an important regional centre for many outpatient programs and health and wellness resources. The design for the hospital incorporates a number of innovations that would capitalize on the proposed site's slope, as well as maximize traffic flow within and around the facility, while keeping the project confined to a strictly managed budget. Sustainable design objectives include water use reduction by 30% and the diversion of 75% construction waste from landfill. Furthermore, given the critical user population, improving indoor air quality is a top priority and as such, the durability, maintenance and life-cycle of all materials has been considered. To improve space and staffing efficiency, the design features a continuous corridor system on each floor that encircles a central outdoor courtyard. Three separate inpatient wings branch off from this central corridor. Decentralized care stations for each unit are positioned closer to patient rooms to minimize staff walking distances and improve access for patients. Large windows facing the outdoor central courtyard on every floor serve as easy-to-locate visual 'markers'ù so visitors can navigate effortlessly. An economic and sustainable design has been achieved without compromising either efficiency or quality of the patient environment. The design separates patient and diagnostic/treatment services into distinct areas. This division allows for longer span areas between columns for diagnostic/treatment services to accommodate equipment and operating room needs. Separating the patient areas, which can be built using shorter spans at less cost, helps to significantly reduce construction expenses.(summary imported from CAGBC database. remove this message if edited) READ MORE