North Bay Regional Health Centre

Built on an 80-acre hillside site, the 750,000 sq.ft. North Bay Regional Health Centre is the largest construction project in Northern Ontario. The $551-million facility has achieved many firsts in health care construction.

The center is a state-of-the-art acute care hospital and a modern, rehabilitation- focused mental health facility where families can come for care regardless of whether they are facing physical or mental health challenges. Built to replace North Bay’s existing hospital facilities, the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) is made up of the new North Bay General Hospital and the new Northeast Mental Health Centre.

The new North Bay General Hospital (approximately 500,000 sq.ft.) includes a larger emergency department with 32 treatment beds, a consolidated ambulatory care centre, and 275 acute care beds. The new Northeast Mental Health Centre (approximately 250,000 sq.ft.) is linked to the general hospital by a shared entrance and common areas. It includes 52 forensic psychiatry beds, 61 specialized mental health beds, a client services mall, a gymnasium, workshops, psychiatric offices, and outpatient services. As a regional facility, the North Bay Regional Health Centre is the first instance in Canada where a forensic mental health center has been co-located with an acute care general hospital. The building’s structure is a hybrid of concrete, structural steel and timber frame. The exterior cladding is a combination of brick, curtain wall and metal siding. The design moves away from the institutional style of wards and long corridors. The design is modeled after a small Northern Ontario community, the core of which is comprised of a chapel, meeting areas, marketplace café and library. A main street for each of the two facilities gently curves in opposite directions and meets to form the main wayfinding route through the building complex to the town center. Side streets navigate large courtyards and clusters of support and amenity services to create wayfinding nodes and sub-gathering areas. The low-rise scale permits ease of access to grade and connection to the surrounding natural countryside and walking trails.

The design is based on a best practice psycho-social model offering a comfortable healing environment that leads to better clinical outcomes. Features of this approach include: a two-story facility with inpatient “lodges” that are interconnected to secure inner courtyards and a village-like environment; and a two-story amenity and therapeutic support building at the heart of the village that houses a client services mall, a gymnasium, workshops, psychiatric offices, clinical space and administrative functions.The North Bay Regional Health Centre is the first hospital to utilize heavy timber and structural wood in a B2 occupancy. Wood is used effectively in several applications throughout the facility.

Wood – its importance and its structural qualities – speaks directly to the essence of the design philosophy; it anchors the heritage of Northern Ontario’s Palette (wood, water and stone) and expresses the natural ruggedness of the site and escarpment. The facility reflects Northern Ontario’s heritage and founding industries. Wood is central to the design and creates a warm, inviting healing environment. All visitors and staff are drawn to the warmth and character of the wood. It is what sets this design and facility apart. A total of 670,000 board feet of timber were used in the NBRHC’s building structure. This is made up of 550,000 board feet of structural timber and 120,000 board feet of wood decking. The new facility was designed and constructed to adhere to the guidelines and sustainability principles of the LEED rating system. The new facility will be the first LEED certified project of its kind in eastern Canada. The facility utilizes 100 per cent fresh air in every room and there is one complete air change per hour. To do this efficiently, enthalpy heat recovery wheels are used to recover heat from exhaust air. The heat exchange system is capable of recovering 75 per cent of heat at -30°C. The spaces are also designed to take advantage of natural light during the daytime. The facility’s efficient systems translate into major capital savings of almost $1M and projected energy cost savings of $350,000 annually.

The North Bay Regional Health Centre is more than purely functional; the design and appearance has the power to uplift, inspire and reflect the way of life in Northern Ontario. The facility provides positive distractions that reduce the stress related to the experience of healthcare. The idea is about being connected to and reflective of the community as a means of generating a sense of wellness, familiarity and comfort.