Ronald McDonald House Atlantic Halifax, Nova Scotia building development, Canadian modern architecture design

Ronald McDonald House Atlantic in Nova Scotia

February 19, 2026

Interior Designer: Sarah Baeumler Design Group

Location: RMHA, 5980 University Avenue, Halifax, NS B3K 6R8, Nova Scotia, Canada

Photos by Julian Parkinson

Ronald McDonald House Atlantic, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Since opening its doors, Ronald McDonald House Atlantic (RMHA) has played a vital role in the Atlantic care community, offering accommodations to families from outside the Halifax area whose children require specialized medical care at the IWK Health Centre. As demand grew, RMHA partnered with Montgomery Sisam Architects and Lydon Lynch Architects to design an expanded facility that responds to longer treatment periods while nurturing peace, wellness, and a sense of refuge from both the hospital and the city.

The new purpose-built facility, located directly across from the IWK Health Centre, nearly doubles the number of family rooms from 18 to 35 and introduces four larger two-bedroom suites with kitchens for families needing long-term stays or for children who are immunocompromised. Modeled similarly to a university residence, families are responsible for their rooms, including cooking and grocery shopping, fostering independence while supporting their children’s care.

A central four-storey residential block houses family bedrooms, each with a private washroom, along with shared laundry and lounge areas. West-facing rooms overlook the central courtyard, while east-facing rooms provide views of nearby greenspaces. The site’s natural slope accommodates a partial basement level with servicing areas, parking, a fitness room, active play area, and theatre.

The ground floor includes a range of communal and program spaces, including art rooms, lounges, and a shared kitchen and dining area. Families can prepare meals at multiple cooking stations or enjoy a quiet meal in private booths. A vibrant red tile wall at the entrance—evocative of the old RMHA red door—sets a welcoming tone, while the design draws inspiration from monastic architecture, balancing privacy with opportunities for social interaction.

Outdoor spaces provide further respite, including a walled garden for stress relief and an additional courtyard with a playhouse, barbeques, dining areas, and a children’s play zone. These features encourage community and wellness, creating a healing environment at a critical time for families.

Accessibility and sustainability were central to the design. RMHA is Rick Hansen Accessibility Certified Gold and targets net zero carbon under the Zero Carbon Building Design V3 Energy Standard.

Features include a high-performance envelope, triple-glazed operable windows, geothermal heating and cooling, energy-efficient water source heat pumps, and rooftop solar panels projected to supply up to 20% of the building’s electricity. The facility achieves a modeled EUI of 86.1 kWh/m² and shows over 40% improvement in GHG emissions compared to the NECB 2017 baseline.

Interior Designer: Sarah Baeumler Design Group – https://sarahbaeumler.com/