The Regional Rehabilitation Centre and Acquired Brain Injury Hospital for Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) is located on the Hamilton General Hospital site in the north-central area of the city. The centre serves a sensitive and high needs population. Its design successfully supports patients, families and healthcare teams.

A specialized environment for those in need

Located on a former brownfield site, the building is located within the context of one of Hamilton’s most urban neighbourhoods. The result fit seamlessly within this setting.

We took responsibility for programme resolution, site plan design, design of the ambulatory floor (Level 1), user group meetings for all spaces, enclosure design and the majority of the field review services. We spent a great deal of time and careful consideration to thoughtfully resolve the programme. Working within financial constraints, our mandate was to reduce the initial programme from 150,000 SF to 100,000 SF. In the process, we resolved block plans and horizontal and vertical stacking relationships for all departments.

We developed a landscaped outdoor courtyard. It linked the Rehab Hospital to the David Braley Cardiac, Vascular, and Stroke Research Institute. We used this courtyard to provide therapy space. It’s unique and custom design provided a space tailored for the treatment of brain injury patients and their recovery.

This project is also connected to the Hamilton General Hospital via a bridge on the second level. A single corridor connects the elevator lobby to the bridge with minimal disruption to the inpatient areas.

The design for the hospital reflects the urban nature of the site, and includes the following primary spaces:

• Level 1: ambulatory rehabilitation facilities, therapeutic pool, gym, orthotics
  and prosthetics area, and administration space
• Level 2: rehabilitation in-patient room and support spaces
• Levels 3-15: Acquired Brain Inury (ABI) private room suites in a slow-to-recover wing, lounges, patient kitchens, transitional apartments, and related support spaces