Hamilton Health Sciences’ new facility, the Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre (RJCHC), has earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification.
“The Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre is a reflection of years of thoughtful, innovative planning by our staff and construction partners,” said Dr. Peter Fitzgerald, president of the McMaster Children’s Hospital, in a press release. “It’s this collaborative approach that allowed us to create a purpose-built facility that positively impacts our young patients and their families, while minimizing the environmental footprint on our surrounding community.”
The project was certified Gold under LEED Canada New Construction standards, earning 64 points. It features a spacious four-storey atrium, full height windows and outdoor terraces to make the best use of natural light. It was designed using 32 per cent recycled construction materials; 45 per cent locally sourced or manufactured construction materials and an energy model predicting 58 per cent less energy use due to the implementation of energy efficient technologies such as individual lighting controls for at least 90 per cent of building occupants, as well as efficient heating and cooling equipment.
Other sustainable features of the design and construction of the facility include nearby access to public transit; the installation of low-flow fixtures to reduce water consumption by 36 per cent; the diversion of 86 per cent of construction and demolition waste from the landfill; the design of the building envelope to increase thermal resistance; the space allotted for the storage and collection of recyclables; and the white roof membrane that reflects heat, rather than absorbing it, reducing cooling costs.
“As design-builder, PCL is extremely proud of the collaborative team effort that has secured LEED Gold status to provide Hamilton Health Sciences with a facility that balances energy efficiency with occupant comfort, enabling the health system to provide care for children and their families in an environment that is as healthy as possible, for years to come,” added Mike Wieninger, vice president and district manager for PCL Constructors Inc. (Toronto).
