Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Winter 2016 - 13


THE RESTORATIVE POWER
OF GOOD DESIGN

B
DESIGN AWARD CATEGORY
Extensive Institutional
PROJECT
Bridgepoint Active Healthcare
LOCATION
Toronto, ON
TEAM MEMBERS
Planning, Design, & Compliance
Stuart Elgie, Stantec Architects
Mitch Hall, KPMB Architects
Design, Build, Finance, & Maintain
Rodel Misa, HDR Architecture
Greg Colucci, Diamond Schmitt Architects
Landscape Consultant
Brad Keeler, MBTW Group

ridgepoint's goal is to teach, coach
and inspire chronic care patients to
"live well" and to be active participants in shaping their own treatment
and health outcomes. With an average
patient stay of three months, there
was strong impetus to design a built
environment that facilitates recovery
and wellness. Bridgepoint Active Health
Care is the manifestation of the belief in
the restorative power of good design.
From animated public spaces to
intimate private ones, the building
connects community and landscape
with patients and staff. Panoramic views
of the Don River Valley within every
patient room, open terraces at the roof
level, mid-tower and at grade levels
provide broad visual engagement with
the surrounding community, parklands
and landscape.
Spaces for rest and therapy include
the large ground floor terrace adjacent
to food services, a therapy pool with
picture-windows overlooking the park
and a wheelchair-accessible meditative labyrinth patterned on the one
at Chartres Cathedral. An accessible,
therapeutic green roof terrace on the
10th floor extends the therapeutic
benefits of nature vertically and offers

active horticultural therapy. Patients
can participate in a gardening program
of engage in self-directed rehabilitation.
People practice walking on the gentle
slope, build strength in wheelchairs by
moving up the gently sloped ramp or by
climbing stairs.
A four-year post occupancy evaluation was specifically developed to
evaluate the impact of the design on
patient health and well being. By blurring the distinction between private
and public property and providing
public circulation continuously around
a fully glazed exterior, the facility is
highly permeable. Staff and patients
feel connected to nature, to the city
and consider the hospital to be a place
of wellness. Patients feel safer, are
more cheerful, are comforted and are
more satisfied with their stay. They feel
they have more opportunities to visit
with others, perceive improvements
in their mental health and are more
confident in their mobility. The judges
praised this project's use of green roofing for patient recovery and human
health treatment and accessibility as
well as the use of deeper root profile
plants in the meadow roof and integration of small trees.

Structural Engineer/LEED Consultant
Kathryn Edwards,
Halsall Associates/WSP Canada
Contractor
Darius Zaccak, PCL Constructors Canada
Mechanical Consultant
Brad Bull, Smith + Anderson
Electrical Consultant
Brandon Hayes, Smith + Anderson
Building Envelope Consultant
Mark Brook, Brook Van Dalen & Associates
Developer & Equity Investor
Brian Budden, Plenary Group
Client
Marian Walsh, Bridgepoint Active Healthcare

READ THIS ISSUE ONLINE AT LIVINGARCHITECTUREMONITOR.COM

The design intent for Bridgepoint Active Healthcare was to connect with nature and
community and to inspire patients and staff. This commitment extends right to the
rooftop.  The garden terrace there provides a sanctuary for healing, where people can
enjoy the natural setting and extraordinary views of the city skyline and feel they are
part of the world around them.
- Greg Colucci, Principal, Diamond Schmitt Architects

All photos courtesy of Diamond Schmitt Architects

LIVING ARCHITECTURE MONITOR / WINTER 2016 / 13
http://www.LIVINGARCHITECTUREMONITOR.COM
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Winter 2016
