Share to
Réaménagement des soins intensifs à l’Hôpital Général du Lakeshore
By : FSA Architecture inc.
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 16th edition
Discipline : Interior Design
Categories : Education, Institution & Healthcare / Health Facilities & Research Center : Platinum Winner
he development of this new intensive care unit presented several technical challenges of high complexity. FSA architecture is proud of its contribution to the realization of this new unit for nursing staff. We met this challenge by adapting and optimizing the facilities in a context of intervention of a complex and restrictive existing structure. FSA has contributed to the well-being of HGL’s clientele, to the quality of a healthy, bright environment where the interveners have workspaces that are adapted and sufficient to provide the best care and allow patients to go through their passage to the intensive care unit in an environment that is more reassuring.
Following a feasibility analysis carried out in conjunction with the hospital’s technical team, we were able to rationalize the needs and validate the location of the unit following the hospital’s master plan and its technical platforms (surgery, emergency). The unique configuration of the original Lakeshore General Hospital building presented many challenges during renovations, including curved walls, interior terracotta walls that contributed to shear, and dead-end corridors. A complete demolition of the existing walls, the addition of a new exit staircase, an upgrade to seismic standards of the building had to be integrated into the project in order to be able to develop the new intensive care unit.
The layouts were developed in close collaboration with the hospital’s biomedical engineering, management and clinician teams who wanted to explore a new way of delivering care. The rotating service columns, anchored to the ceiling, now make it possible to centralize services and free up the floor, thus facilitating the maintenance of the rooms, but especially the interventions of the nursing staff, especially during emergency and reanimation procedures. The detailed planning was carried out in close coordination with the professional and technical staff of the hospital and considering the significant constraints imposed by the existing facilities. Consultation with biomedical equipment suppliers, for service columns, and integration into the process of hospital suppliers (reverse osmosis water, access control) adequately completes the conceptual process. The central and main station is supported by satellite stations located in glazed alcoves ensuring a perfect view of the rooms. Two of the rooms allow the isolation of a patient at risk or contagious. A dedicated staff area is nestled at the end of the unit, away from activities, to facilitate access, team meetings and breaks.
For this project, the sobriety and predominance of white contribute to concentration and minimize distractions for caregivers who must be constantly vigilant. Blue accents help to bring rhythm to the long corridor and easily locate the technical elements required by the care team, cabinets, guard posts, etc. In this critical environment, the importance of adapted space design is most relevant because it is put at the service of a highly specialized use where people’s lives are at stake. This project was a very rewarding design and layout job.
