Yawkey Pavilion - Boston Medical Center - Boston, MA

Boston, MA Institutional development strategy at Boston Medical Center demonstrates a unique approach to healthcare sustainability:  at a time when the usual institutional response is to build new facilities and expand campuses, BMC decided to instead consolidate their sprawling campus and apply resources to comprehensive upgrades of their entire bank of existing facilities. LWDA, a multi-disciplinary firm, assisted BMC with a careful study of clinical and developmental needs, and optimization of existing facilities and departmental adjacencies. When the campus redesign is completed in 2018, the hospital will reduce its overall footprint and square footage by 13%, upgrading campus infrastructure while still accommodating growth and modernization of its clinical facilities. Elimination of duplicate clinical programs, sterile processing and food service facilities, laboratory, and reduction of inter-campus patient transport will achieve the smaller footprint and reduction in operating costs. While these measures are not quantifiable within existing rating systems, they nevertheless demonstrate innovative and comprehensive commitment to the spirit of sustainable development. The outstanding target of overall campus renovations is to reduce energy use on campus by 50% by 2020.

Renovations to the Yawkey Pavilion (new lobby, admitting, cafeteria, and maternity department) are targeting equivalency to LEED for Healthcare 2009 Gold level. Major upgrades to existing building infrastructure will yield 24% savings in energy use and 35% water use reduction for these projects. The Yawkey renovations take full advantage of abundant daylight and views, and utilize a sophisticated system of occupancy controls and daylight sensors. The Maternity project is designed with heightened attention to acoustic comfort, and sustainable materials are used throughout.