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DECEMBER 2019 | 45 HSC Winnipeg Women's Hospital Lynne Wilson Orr, principal at Parkin Architects (specialist sub-consul- tant), explains that the project features images of native Manitoba wildflow- ers and grasses that represent different aspects of patient care and serve as wayfinding landmarks on each floor. "On the second floor NICU, for example, the plants here are frag- ile native plants that are delicate yet strong, which is reflective of prema- ture infants. We worked with a number of artists, photographers, and design- ers to ensure the flowers were native to the prairies. We opted for a more abstract look which is crisp and clean, and the images have been reinforced throughout with subtle touches, like flower motifs behind the sinks that play on that design," says Wilson Orr. For the interior materials care- ful attention was paid to ensure the building would exude a warm and welcoming atmosphere. "We used wood-look materials in areas so there is a distinct visual texture. The idea is that it will look as good in 10 years as it does today," says Wilson Orr. On level 1, for example, there is a beautiful hard- wood floor that was salvaged from the Weston Bakery and is an example of the importance of repurposing materi- als from the demolition. One of the biggest challenges with the project was daylighting, with inpa- tient rooms all requiring windows on the perimeter. A stepped building form was used to bring daylight deeper into the staff spaces, which are concen- trated on the interior in a central spine. "The building was designed in con- sideration of salutogenesis – a health care design approach focusing on fac- tors that support human health and well-being, and is concerned with the relationship between health, stress, and coping. The central atrium stair is used to bring natural light deeper into the building including the lower parking level and serve as both a sculptural and wayfinding element designed to encour- age an active lifestyle," explains Wiens. Careful attention to the layout also ensures staff safety and convenience: "We work in complex systems involv- ing inter-professional groups with differing backgrounds, experience, and training and this space was designed to reduce structural silos and create team environments where the team can truly collaborate and work together," says Sneath. With the hospital having opened its doors on December 1, Manitobans are now able to witness for themselves a project that they were very much a part of. "I hope this project will challenge any future projects to include multiple stakeholders during any design pro- cess as well as think innovatively for what is possible and achievable. The best way to support positive change in health care is to design a system to cre- ate the change that you are wanting to see," says Sneath. A PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE WINNIPEG Untitled-5 1 11/18/19 3:12 PM

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