Located at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, this project included the construction of a new Emergency Room building that provides dedicated mental health services.

 

The 6,413 square meter project consisted of a 3,166 square meter concrete basement floor as well as a 3,247 square meter main floor built of structural steel.

 

The new Emergency department featured a revolutionary design and obtained LEED Gold Certification for a sustainable design and construction. The new emergency department was designed to provide more space and improve traffic flow by increasing the number of treatment rooms from 24 to 41. Ambulatory care units tripled from 4 to 12 and psychiatric emergency care units also increased from closet-sized single rooms to a separate mental health unit including four secure bedrooms, treatment rooms and courtyards, living spaces, and recreation areas. The three new courtyards bound in glass help bring a natural environment to the hospital and provide plenty of natural light.

 

Geothermal energy is used to heat and cool the air coming into the building. Underground concrete tunnels store barrels of water that help maintain the temperature of the earth surrounding the building.

 

The Emergency Room project was completed in September of 2012 and had a total value that exceeded $20 million.

 

A video tour can be found below as well as a time lapse video of the construction. An article by Laurie Jones is also provided that details the project.

 

Special thanks to Artez Photography Corporation for taking the spectacular photos.