Chinook Regional Hospital

Alberta Infrastructure

Lethbridge, Alberta

In association with Group2 Architecture, we are the prime consultant for the new Chinook Regional Hospital, one of two major facilities servicing the rural communities of southern Alberta. A multiphased project, it includes a new addition and renovations that affect the following programs: Emergency, Day Procedures, Day Surgery, Labour and Delivery, NICU, Outpatient Services, Cancer Care, Rehabilitation, Renal Dialysis, Maternal Child, Pediatric Outpatient, Respiratory Therapy, Day Medicine, Ortho, Education, Staff Facilities, and 64 Single Patient In-patient Beds, Spiritual Care, Gift Shop and the Main Entry.

Responding to the vernacular and scale of the site, the design of the addition complements the existing building while creating a fresh, modern element that defines a new north entry and takes advantage of technological and materials advancements.
The Chinook Regional Hospital is the first healthcare project in Canada to use the USGBC-LEED for Healthcare rating system. Major sustainable features include an efficient system of light scoops on the roof that will drive natural daylight into the core of the building and a photovoltaic array—the largest in our firm’s portfolio. Balanced with the practical concerns of a healthcare building, the design incorporates local, sustainable and healthy material choices wherever possible.

We are using Evidence Based Design in our approach to site, exterior envelope and interior design. Access to natural daylight and views, areas for respite and repose, soothing and calming interiors, and simple logical planning and wayfinding are maximized to reduce stress in both patient and staff, increase efficiency, improve outcomes and retain staff. In an effort to align with hospital operations, LEAN strategies have been integrated into the design since initial programming and service planning discussions. As a result, many areas were affected, in particular Day Procedures where the bed count was reduced by 30% by streamlining the design to be in close alignment with operational procedures.