Bridgepoint Active Healthcare, Toronto, Ontario Canada

Stantec Architecture / KPMB Architects – Design and Compliance Architect |HDR Architects / Diamond + Schmitt Architects

EBD Goal 

To provide transforming care to individuals who require rehabilitation and complex care when coping with chronic disease while pioneering research and incorporating environmental elements that positively contribute to the health and wellness of both patients and staff.

Overview

The new 10-story, 464-bed, 680,000-SF Bridgepoint Active Hospital provides a stepping point between acute care and a return to independent living. Built on an historic site, this referral hospital responds to the region's need for increasingly complex chronic healthcare while maintaining an important communal space that incorporates the roles of civic building, urban place, community center, and healthcare site. 

Challenge 

A significant challenge for the design team was to accommodate all of the functional program requirements and patient, staff and visitor needs while connecting the hospital to the larger community through: landscape design, community involvement and history. From the inception of the visioning process, re-connection with the adjacent residential neighborhood and beautiful natural parks were key objectives. With a site history tied to isolation and separation, Bridgepoint needed to reintegrate themselves as active members of the community, bringing the community back to the site through this redevelopment.

Solution

To support a path to health, a “campus of wellness” for the patient and the regional community was created; one that would enhance the patient’s connection to community, nature, and the urban environment by inspiring physical activity and increasing chances for social interaction within the space.

Many design strategies and innovations were included as the result of active and intense participation of hospital representatives, clinicians, patients, architects, engineers, and community members – all driven by the hospital's vision of active healthcare. The heart of this project is the patient experience, which is designed to promote a sense of wellness, support, and empowerment. Spaces are open, bright, and active. Specific design solutions include:

Community connection – a Village of Care

• Site plan reorganizes the site with the historic Don Jail (hospital administration services) occupying the central square.
• New parks and a civic plaza complete the campus.

Patient focus

• Patient rooms maximize natural daylight and views.
• Social and dining spaces encourage social interaction and healthy nutrition. (the café and terrace on the main level are constant hives of activity)
• Therapy spaces are dispersed throughout the building for easy access.
• Quiet, calm spaces are incorporated throughout for respite.
• Barrier-free pool provides therapy with a glass wall, allowing clinicians to
• easily monitor exercise.
• Connection to nature includes a meditative labyrinth.

Family and visitor focus

• Designs engage family members in the healing process.
• Rooms provide ample space and furniture for visitors.
• Dedicated family lounge on each floor.

Staff focus

• Uplifting environment promotes a safe, secure, and stress-reducing place for staff.
• Functional and efficient design supports effective patient treatment and management.
• Consideration of all design factors for a positive work environment: daylight, views, adequate space, noise, and privacy. 

Results

Two years post-opening, Bridgepoint is achieving the vision of active healthcare holistically from treatment to education to research, and is an active and vital member of the community it serves. The post occupancy results show dramatic changes from the existing hospital, with 98.5% of patients stating they would recommend Bridgepoint to family and friends; stroke patients have reduced inpatient stay by 12 days; and 90% of staff members said they consider Bridgepoint a great place to work.