HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT
Misericordia ED will ‘care for body, mind and soul’
Jan Kroman, a Principal at Canada’s Rockliff Pierzchajlo Kroman (RPK) Architects, based in Edmonton, Alberta, discusses a project to create a new Emergency Department at the city’s Misericordia Community Hospital. He explains that development of ‘a philosophy of flow’ became a focal point ‘for a physical manifestation of a clinical plan that will likely see improved patient outcomes’.
Built in 1969, Misericordia Community Hospital is one of four major acute care hospitals currently serving Edmonton, as well as central and northern Alberta, and the Northwest Territories. Owned by Alberta Health Services (AHS), and operated by Covenant Health, the campus has been redeveloped and expanded to better suit community needs over its half century of operation. The hospital’s Emergency Department had outgrown its current space, facing overcrowding, substandard conditions, ever-increasing mechanical system challenges and, in some cases, infrastructure failures. In late 2017, a major capital project was initiated by Alberta Infrastructure, AHS, and Covenant Health to create a new Emergency Department adjacent and connected to the main hospital on the campus. More than a simple addition, this project challenged industry norms in several key ways.
Re-thinking procurement The project’s innovation started from its inception, with the consultant team chosen via a qualification-based selection process. The methodology priorities the merits of each proponent, with fees not considered in the overall adjudication. This allows for key considerations, such as firm and individual consultant experience, team availability, and fit to drive procurement. Via this process, Rockliff Pierzchajlo Kroman (RPK) Architects was named prime consultant and lead design architect. Upon preliminary selection, the consultant team had a limited window to further negotiate fees, scope, and the team composition (sub-consultants) with the client, Alberta Infrastructure. Due to abundant experience on both sides, the RAIC 6 contract, along with its schedule of services, became a framework around which potential scenarios were reviewed, with the document being amended to suit both parties. The process was effective in kick-starting a collaborative relationship between the consultant team and client, successfully setting the stage for the planned five-year project. Alberta Infrastructure subsequently elected to deliver
the project using a construction manager, with the contract awarded to PCL Construction. This methodology, in contrast to stipulated sum or public-private partnership, was effective in staging the work through multiple tender packages issued at strategic milestones during
the project, giving the construction team flexibility in effectively scheduling the work over different parts of the campus. PCL was also able to collaborate and work with RPK’s team in a detailed, design-assist capacity. This included splitting out long lead items, reviewing scope items needing accommodation due to performance specification, and providing campus-specific insight from past project experience on the Misericordia site. PCL also incorporated these elements to prepare a highly calibrated and articulated construction and execution plan, implementing it early in the pre-construction phase. The plan clearly defined how the project would be managed with final measures of success in mind. This approach allowed work on site to be completed safely and on time, while complying with the quality and service expectations of Alberta Infrastructure, AHS, and Covenant Health.
Trade contractor input Throughout the planning process, PCL engaged with trade contractors during pre-construction to solicit their input and unique expertise as regards the review of construction documents, constructability of key elements, durations of critical path activities, labour and equipment resources, material and equipment supply chain risks, and overall expectations and common goals. As a result, when each sequential tender package was completed and ready for public tender, an increased number of trade partners bid on the work. Sharing an accurate and realistic procurement and construction plan with the client, hospital, and potential trade partners, not only set everyone up
February 2025 Health Estate Journal 37
The vertically-orientated white metal cladding, organised in horizontal bands, together with the white brickwork on the front facade, at the new ED building at Misericordia Community Hospital reflect the materials and geometries of the original hospital building, with the large ‘Emergency’ sign and arrival area glass delineating the entrance.
All photo used courtesy of Adam Borman
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