Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1274063
J U LY 2 0 2 0 | 71 University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) – Cardiac Life Support Services P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E SY U N I V ER S I T Y O F OT TAWA H E A RT I N S T I T U T E F or almost 40 years, The University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) has been regarded as the most distinguished heart health centres in the country and has acted as Canada's main influencer when it comes to pre- venting heart disease. However, with increasing demands of an aging and changing patient population it was time for an upgrade. Since the initial development pro- posal was introduced in 2004, the road to expansion for UOHI has been a long one. However, in August 2011 The Province of Ontario announced fund- ing that would create a state-of-the-art facility to meet the demands of deliver- ing outstanding cardiovascular care. The recent expansion is the most significant in the history of the Heart Institute. It includes the renovation of 67,000 square feet of the exist- ing Heart Institute Life Support level and construction of a new five-storey tower with clinical and outpatient ser- vices and associated service levels. Functional spaces include eight labora- tories, five operating rooms, intensive care units (including 27 beds), staff spaces, and a mechanical penthouse. "Life Support was originally located in the sub-grade level. We took that existing space and put it up over four storeys, so you can imagine what that has meant to the staff and patients," explains Ottawa Heart Institute exec- utive VP, clinical operations, Heather Sherrard. In fact all life support services – operating rooms, electrophysiology labs, catheterization labs and intensive care – will now move to the new building. Gathering a skilled team together – which included HDR Architecture Associates Inc., the Heart Institute, the Ottawa Hospital, Infrastructure Ontario, and the builder, PCL Constructors Canada – was essen- tial under the build-finance model to ensure the project would be delivered on budget and on time. As with any operating hospi- tal expansion that is surrounded by existing buildings, the site proved a little challenging, as Gord Fitzpatrick, senior project manager, PCL Constructors Canada Inc., explains, "It was constrained in terms of access. Also, because the hospital was oper- ating during the construction and renovation, scheduling and planning was extremely important to mini- mize disruption and ensure safety and comfort of patients and staff." As construction of the new cast- in-place concrete/steel tower was nearing completion, the owner increased the project scope by adding a 25,000-square-foot floor to the top. The additional floor was constructed as shell space to allow for future expansion of clinical areas. This vertical expan- sion was added to the project without extending the overall schedule. For the design of the addition, HDR Architecture Associates worked closely with UOHI staff. "The inten- tion of the new portion was to make it a break from the design of the orig- inal building. We wanted to make it evident that progress was being made, that it is leading-edge, and so the addition is an obvious statement to that," explains James Chapman, architect at HDR Architecture, who has worked with Ottawa Hospital now for 15 years. Instead of brick and precast panels, HDR opted for a more contemporary design for the addition, using pre- dominantly white ceramic panels and zinc siding. Perhaps the most striking architectural element, however, is the new entrance that brings the old and new together. "The addition is slotted between the hospital, the patient portion, and the research building, and has two wings. We wanted to pull that forward and so we approached the City with the idea," says Chapman. This striking new entrance is shaped in a way to bring natural light into the building and creates a warm and welcoming space. "We clad it in glass to complement the zinc siding and panelling. This allows people to see the entrance more clearly, and people inside can look out and see their family when they arrive to pick them up," explains Chapman. Fitzpatrick agrees, adding that the difference is amazing and instanta- neous. "The front entrance was done in three stages as the Institute had to remain open at all times. As soon as we took the drywall and awnings off, the place just lit up," he says. Inside the building, escalators take you to the upper and lower floors. Here you will find more than 145,000 square feet of new space that includes the five operating rooms and one shelled-in operating room, nine cath- eterization/electrophysiology labs, and an additional surgical critical care unit for 27 beds. "The operating rooms were built in phase 3 and are at least double the size of the existing operating rooms. They are extremely impressive and all equip- ment is up off the floor so you can clean underneath them," says Fitzpatrick. Inside the theme is modern, perfectly bridging the clinical elements with a warm and inviting feel. Chapman says this was done by using wood-look materials that work in perfect contrast with strong white Corian finishes. Sherrard explains that every aspect of the design and construction is very much patient centric, from the surgical intensive care unit that has a terrace for patients to get some fresh air and be with their family, to the intensive care units that maximize access to light. For the mechanical and electrical systems, three new generators were installed, which incidentally came in extremely useful after a tornado hit Ottawa and shut down the power at the hospital. While Fitzpatrick says that the systems were fairly straight- forward, tying the heat and hot water into the existing power plant required close collaboration with the hospi- tal. In addition, lighting has been thoughtfully designed to be used for wayfinding and again with patient and staff comfort in mind. For the renovation within the exist- ing building, the sub-level is currently being completely renovated to house a centralized and expanded diagnostic imaging centre, and the main lobby is being expanded and redesigned to improve visitor access. "UOHI does such amazing work and it has been an amazing process working with them to help transform their operations," says Chapman, to which Fitzpatrick adds, "The entire team involved has had the patients interest in mind at all times and deci- sions were made based on that." In conclusion, Sherrard says, "We see ourselves as an institute for the region, so we are always looking ahead to the future. With the expansion we are assured that we can look after the region for the next 20 to 25 years." A LOCATION 40 Ruskin Street, Ottawa, Ontario OWNER /DEVELOPER University of Ottawa Heart Institute / Infrastructure Ontario ARCHITECT HDR Architecture Associates Inc. GENER AL CONTR ACTOR PCL Constructors Canada STRUCTUR AL CONSULTANT Cleland Jardine Engineering Limited MECHANICAL /ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT WSP Canada Group Limited TOTAL SIZE $200 million TOTAL COST 191,000 square feet (addition) 67,000 square feet (renovation) UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA HEART INSTITUTE – CARDIAC LIFE SUPPORT SERVICES by NATALIE BRUCKNER 1:16 PM