West Park Healthcare Centre York, Western Toronto architecture, Canadian ambulatory care building
West Park Healthcare Centre, York
20 + 19 September 2024
Architect: CannonDesign + Montgomery Sisam Architects
Address: 170 Emmett Ave, York, western Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
West Park Healthcare Centre, York
e-architect share a recently-completed healthcare project in Toronto, ON, with its thoughtful and human-centered design approach.
Photos by Laura Peters, Younes Bounhar
West Park Healthcare Centre, York, Canada
Founded in the early 1900s, West Park Healthcare Centre has played an exceptionally important role in the western Greater Toronto Area care community, providing rehabilitation services and complex care after life‐altering illnesses or injuries, including lung disease, amputation, stroke, as well as traumatic musculoskeletal injuries.
Replacing a series of aging hospital buildings, the new 730,000 sq. ft. ambulatory care centre — designed by CannonDesign + Montgomery Sisam Architects — is the latest addition to the historic site, created to meet the evolving needs and set new standards in rehabilitative care through its patient-centred philosophy and the use of nature as a healing ground:
• The design of the new facility features the intersection of emotional and therapeutic healing. Recognizing that recovery is not just a physical process but one that must also address the emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being of patients, West Park Healthcare Centre incorporates elements of nature both inside and outside the building to foster a holistic healing environment.
• Outdoor spaces, such as sensory gardens, fitness trails, and meditation areas, are designed to evoke a sense of calmness and support mental rejuvenation alongside physical recovery.
• Inside, natural materials, abundant light, and expansive views throughout the building foster an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. Terraces on each floor offer outdoor spaces for therapeutic activities, family gatherings, and personal reflection.
• Each patient room features operable windows positioned at a low height to promote natural ventilation and allow patients to easily look outside and connect with the world, enhancing their emotional well-being while they remain in bed.
• The new facility comprises three interconnected wings — one dedicated to outpatient services and two – to inpatient care — ensuring a seamless and efficient flow between clinical and patient areas. Each patient wing is connected to an outdoor terrace, which overlooks nature.
• The building exterior reflects West Park’s rich natural heritage through the use of wood-look soffits, aluminum and copper-zinc alloy cladding, brick, and stone — materials that are highly contextual, familiar, and comforting.
• The campus supports community re-integration by welcoming the community onto its grounds, breaking down barriers between people receiving care and those living in the community.
• A few other unique design elements include a well-utilized fireplace lounge, a spiritual care centre, a therapeutic pool, rooftop garden, and unique art pieces that were donated to the hospital — all of which further enhance the healing environment.
Located on a secluded bank overlooking the Humber River, West Park Health Centre has an illustrious history that dates back to the early twentieth century. Its latest investment, a new 730,000 ft2 ambulatory care centre will replace a series of aging hospital buildings that currently line the perimeter of the campus-like site.
The building’s massing is composed of three interconnected wings – one dedicated to outpatient services and two, to inpatient services. Patrons access the building through the prominent Muntz-clad entry pavilion, either curbside or by shuttle elevator from the parking garage.
A landmark structure at the building’s pivot point, the pavilion features a range of public amenities, including a resource centre, spiritual care centre, museum, piano lounge, fireplace lounge, reception area and, on the second level accessible via a feature stair, a large auditorium. The outpatient wing houses a number of specialty spaces at grade as part of its Rehab Plus Centre, including a rehab gym, wellness area and therapeutic pool.
Upper levels accommodate clinical and administrative functions, a day hospital, lab and imaging suites and research offices. Inpatient wings accommodate a total of 12 injury-specific recovery units – one per level – ranging from 20 to 32 beds. Units are staked and wings, mirrored to improve efficiency.
The new hospital building features a robust landscape design, with designated outdoor garden spaces to match each of its indoor public and therapeutic spaces. These spaces have been carefully conceived to respond to the unique needs of the many different programs and their patients, and interconnect via a series of new walking trails that navigate the west lawn.
The building also includes a number of outdoor terraces to allow patients on each of the upper levels ready access to nature and the scenic views of the watershed. The project is targeting LEED Silver certification.
The project was completed by CannonDesign + Montgomery Sisam Architects.
Photo Credit: Laura Peters, Younes Bounhar
West Park Healthcare Centre, York, Ontario, images / information received 190924
Phone: +1 416-243-3600
Location: 170 Emmett Ave, York, ON M6M 2J5 – near Toronto, Ontario, Canada, North America.
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