St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor recently received the 2010 Design & Health International Academy Award for Sustainable Design. The award, by the International Academy for Design and Health, recognizes excellence in healthcare-related projects that foster health, wellbeing and quality of life. The hospital facility was among eight finalists in the category of sustainable design, and projects were considered from around the world including UK, Israel and Australia.
The judges’ remarks said about the hospital, which was designed by ZGF Architects: “The design approach of this outstanding project focused on the interconnection between nature, health and wellbeing, reflecting and making use of the stunning local backdrop of wooded forests, panoramic landscapes and views of the water.”
The Academy Award projects were judged by independent experts from around the globe in 12 categories. The criteria in the sustainability category included exceptional solutions beyond the mandatory norm that set new standards satisfying “legislative, technical, financial and moral imperatives.”
The hospital facility has been the recipient of several other awards. Allyn Stellmacher, design partner at ZGF’s Seattle office, said the Academy Award was especially meaningful because it validated the project through people in the industry. He said the facility was innovative based on the efficiency and effectiveness of the space used.
“We tried to design the building so it’s transparent and connects back to the forest and the landscape,” he said. “The building breathes and infuses daylight, reflecting the changing light conditions… It also embodies the spirit of the Peninsula and the sense of community identity.”
The design provided a challenge because the goal was to not level out the site, located on a steep hill, but rather to “nestle” the building into the hill and blend it in. In addition, the site had sensitive wetlands.
According to the Franciscan Health System, the owner of the hospital, the facility was conceived as a place of healing, and both the outside and the interior design had to contribute to that effect. The building’s orientation was selected to maximize the connection to the forest, which is part of the facility’s healing environment.
The green features include the preservation of more than half of the site’s vegetation and replanting of the disturbed areas with indigenous plants, a “green buffer” that reduces visual and noise pollution, a stormwater-catchment system that filters the water back to the wetlands, a healing garden that uses recycled water, and nature trails. Inside, the extensive use of daylight creates a more energy-efficient space; other energy controls were also implemented. The project used many green materials, including low-VOC paints, sealants and adhesives.
Stellmacher said the goal was not to simply design a green building, but a sustainable one, which also means a facility that functions efficiently over a long term, is flexible to allow for growth, and becomes and important part of the community. “It’s not a short-term view and not a trendy or gimmicky view; it’s really rooted in the values of Franciscan Health System,” he said. “…Great buildings express the strength and the personality of the organizations, and the values they try to promote and exemplify.”
Carole Peet, president of St. Anthony Hospital, said the natural lighting has made a significant impact on staff and patients. “Even on the dreary days, the natural environment can really be seen in the building, and that adds to the healing of our patients and the mental wellbeing of patients and staff,” she said.
She agreed with Stellmacher’s assessment that it was important for St. Anthony to become a landmark in the community. “It’s become a draw for people, whether to come and walk through the gardens or eat in the cafeteria,” she said, adding that the cafeteria gets a lot of regular visitors and even some groups have been interested in having meetings there. “We have a lot of onsite activities and we invite people to visit us for other reasons than just being treated,” she said.
