Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal by CannonDesign + NEUF architect(e)s

Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Photo © Adrien Williams

CannonDesign + NEUF architect(e)s are pleased to announce the completion of Phase 1 of the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM). Begun in 2009, the CHUM teaching institution is the largest healthcare construction project in North America and the largest healthcare public-private partnership project in Canadian history. Already, the building has ignited the revitalization of a neglected sector of Montreal’s urban core.

Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Photo © Adrien Williams

“It’s remarkably rewarding to see so many years of preparation, planning, design and intense effort come to life,” said Jose Silva, Principal for CannonDesign. “The CHUM has always been an extraordinary project—from the bold vision that set it in motion nearly a decade ago to the beautiful building it has now become. This is an exciting moment for both those who worked on the project and those who will benefit from this state-of-the-art facility.”

Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Photo © Adrien Williams

Accelerating public access
Initially structured as a two-phased project, the team reconfigured the indicative design of the campus arrangement and architecture in order to accelerate development significantly. As a result, Phase I, now complete, delivers the hospital’s core healthcare capabilities leaving only offices, a conference center, a few ambulatory spaces, and additional parking for Phase 2.

Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Photo © Adrien Williams

Human inspiration
With social infrastructure and urban renewal as integral components to its design, the 22-storey complex, spanning over 3 million square feet and encompassing two full city blocks, will play an important role in regenerating the neglected East-end of Montreal’s downtown core, reconnecting the city’s urban fabric and anchoring the Quartier de la Santé, Montreal’s new healthcare district.

Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Photo © Adrien Williams

Throughout the design process, the team continually pushed the envelope for quality of design, whether in its use of parametric design on the building envelope, the use of 3D-printed models in coordination, an innovative approach to the integration of heritage components, and an intense use of technology to facilitate communication between team members from across the globe.

Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Photo © Adrien Williams

From a healthcare delivery perspective, each of the 772 rooms includes ample space for family involvement, and expansive windows offering some of the best views of the city. Importantly, the entire building is designed following universal design principles, and impressively, the vast majority of the 12,000+ rooms in the building were designed following a small number of standardized room templates.

Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Photo © Adrien Williams

“The creation of such an incredible healthcare facility required our design team to look at the project from numerous perspectives, but we leveraged our health expertise to always keep patient experience at the forefront.” added Silva.

Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Photo © Adrien Williams

Art at the heart of the architecture
Going well beyond the Quebec government’s requirement of dedicating a minimum of 1% of a public development’s budget to the integration of art, the new CHUM campus will have 13 large-scale works of art incorporated into the design and ultimately house the highest concentration of public art in Montreal since Expo 67.

Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Photo © Karine Savard

“We have integrated the art directly into the architecture of the complex in ways that blur the lines between the two and provides a more human experience to the visitor and staff”, explains Azad Chichmanian, partner and architect with NEUF architect(e)s.

Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Photo © Adrien Williams

“In fact, many components of the buildings themselves can be considered as works of art, including the amphitheater, the reconstructed steeple, Maison Garth and the Space of Contemplation—forming a series of architectural objects animating Saint-Denis Street. Perhaps the best example is the passerelle, an aerial bridge now spanning across Sanguinet Street with its translucent arch emerging from the perforations of the copper shroud enveloping it” says Chichmanian. Source by CannonDesign + NEUF architect(e)s.

Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Photo © Adrien Williams
  • Location: Montreal, Canada
  • Architect: CannonDesign + NEUF architect(e)s
  • Principals in charge: Jose Silva, AIA and Azad Chichmanian, OAQ
  • Engineers: Pasquin St-Jean, HH Angus, Groupe SM
  • Landscape architects: NIP Paysage
  • Contractors: Construction Santé Montréal
  • Client: Construction Santé Montréal
  • Budget: 2 billion CAD$
  • Area of project: Approximately 3 million square feet
  • Main Building: 22 storeys above grade and 5 subgrade levels
  • Ambulatory Center: 19 storeys above grade and 4 subgrade
  • Medical Office Building/Library: 16 storeys above grade and 3 subgrade
  • Logistics/lab and pharmacy: 10 storeys above grade and 3 subgrade
  • Auditorium: 3 storeys above grade (Phase 2)
  • Completion of Phase 1: 2017
  • Completion of Phase 2: 2021
  • Award: Design Award presented during the European Healthcare Design Forum in London 2016, AzureAZ Awards 2017, WAF and the INSIDE World Festival of Interiors shortlist 2017, ABB LEAF Awards in London shortlist 2017
  • Photographs: Adrien Williams, CannonDesign + NEUF architect(e)s, Karine Savard, Courtesy of CannonDesign
Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Photo © CannonDesign + NEUF architect(e)s
Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Photo © Adrien Williams
Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Photo © CannonDesign + NEUF architect(e)s
Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Section
Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Site Plan
Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Typical Floor Plan
Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Green roofs and public plazas
Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Programmatic diagram
Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Public interface diagram
Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
CHUM doors

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