The first phase in the construction of three-million-square-foot Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) created by CannonDesign and Montreal-based NEUF architect(e)s is now complete. Located in the heart of Montreal, the new campus is the first new hospital built in the city in 30 years and is the largest public-private healthcare partnership in Canadian history.
In order to get the hospital up and running as fast as possible, phase one of the project focused on healthcare spaces. These include the 772 patient rooms, the operating theaters, and the diagnostic and therapeutic spaces. Phase two will build out the administrative offices, a conference center, more ambulatory spaces, and additional parking.
“Walking through the completed spaces today, we feel a spatial quality that is in line with the ambitions of this great institution,” explained Azad Chichmanian, partner and architect with NEUF architect(e)s in a press release. “As the public finally begins to discover the architectural moments that have been created, from the inviting, light-filled public spaces to the state-of-the-art clinical facilities, we believe the building will succeed in completely redefining Montrealers’ image of what a hospital feels like.”
CHUM covers two full city blocks, making it an important urban fixture in the city. Designed to be the anchor of Quartier de la Santé, Montreal’s new healthcare district, the entire complex was conceived to mend a large gap in the city’s fabric. The project’s large footprint included the historic structure of a 145-year-old abandoned church. While much of the church was demolished for the construction, its impressive steeple, along with the facade of a neighboring gray-stone mansion, were integrated into the overall design. Along with a number of indoor and outdoor public spaces, the campus will eventually include 13 large-scale public art pieces.
Before the first phase was completed, the project was recognized and shortlisted for multiple awards. Some of those include awards for healthcare design, facade design and engineering.The second phase of the project is expected to be complete in 2021.
