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J U N E 2 0 2 3 | 77 Renew Sinai Phase 3A – Mount Sinai Hospital R EN D ER I N G + P H OTO G R A P H Y BY TO M A R BA N /CO U RT E S Y S TA N T EC A RC H I T EC T U R E LT D. RENEW SINAI PHASE 3A – MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL by ROBIN BRUNET T he impetus for the Renew Sinai project at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital – of which Phase 3A is the most recent component – was to upgrade key clinical areas throughout the facil- ity along with support areas critically linked to the redevelopment focus. The undertaking was remark- able even within the complex world of hospital redevelopment. "All told, the project consisted of 112 phases, each involving elaborate decanting, and a lot of this work was compli- cated further by the pandemic," says Rick Gowrie, VP, facilities and capi- tal development for Sinai Health. Another complication was the Mount Sinai Hospital building itself, which is an 18-floor tower. "It wasn't a sprawling complex with wings that would have enabled us to upgrade one wing at a time," says Gail Hannah architect/principal at Stantec Architecture Ltd. "If one floor was the focus of work, the floors below and above would be affected." Stantec was retained to provide architectural, clinical planning, interior design, and contract adminis- tration services for the redevelopment of several key areas of the hospital. This included the redevelopment of the intensive care unit, the expan- sion and redesign of the emergency department, the expansion and rede- sign of operating rooms and surgical services, and an increased medi- cal/surgery inpatient capacity. Earlier, six floors had been added to Mount Sinai, creating modern facilities to support women through pregnancy and labour and improve how care is delivered to older patients. Also, between 2014 and 2016, BBB Architects oversaw the renewal of the hospital's level three (main floor) gal- lery, food court, and main lobby. Stantec's involvement dates back to 2009, and Hannah recalls, "The main challenge of the proj- ect was how to carry out over 100 phases without impacting the 24/7 operation of the hospital." There was no single solution, only scrupulous planning and co-ordina- tion governed by a phasing, decanting, and relocation plan developed by Stantec. "Also, when the pandemic hit, assigning dedicated elevators to work crews played a huge role in keeping staff and the public safe," Gowrie says. Despite the programming focus of the project, Gowrie notes that there was plenty of room for architec- tural expression. "Patient-centred and family-focused care along with creating pleasing environments for our staff was a priority," he says. Hannah adds, "For example, we provided the ICU with clear views of the city – previously there had been no glazing. The facade and canopy were redone creating bright and wel- coming entrances, and metal fins within the new glazing panels at podium level created a pleasing new visual rhythm. Large-scale graphics LOCATION 600 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario OWNER /DEVELOPER Sinai Health ARCHITECT Stantec Architecture Ltd. PROJECT MANAGER Colliers Project Leaders BUILD-FINANCE CONTR ACTOR EllisDon STRUCTUR AL / BUILDING ENVELOPE CONSULTANT Entuitive MECHANICAL /ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT H.H. Angus & Associates FOOD SERVICE CONSULTANT KAIZEN Foodservice Planning & Design Inc. L ABOR ATORY CONSULTANT NXL Architects TOTAL SIZE 300,000 square feet TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COST Undisclosed

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