North America’s first fully digital hospital features 142,000 square square-foot LiveRoof^® system, largest of its kind

For Immediate Release  When the Humber River Hospital opens its doors on October 18, the bar will be raised. North America’s first fully digital hospital will be “lean, green and digital,” according to Rueben Devlin, the President and CEO of Humber River. Three-quarters of in-hospital deliveries will be automated. The building will feature 100% fresh air. And it will have some of the finest medical technology available today.

“Humber River Hospital will continue its mission to provide high quality, safe care efficiently, delivered with respect and compassion, in a model hospital facility,” said President and CEO Rueben Devlin. “Every aspect of the new hospital was designed based on the needs of patients and families, and bringing them in as full partners in the care experience.”

One of the many impressive features in the new Humber River Hospital is the 13,192 square meters of green roofing^, visible froma majority of the patient rooms and treatment areas of the hospital. Worldwide, it is the largest LiveRoof brand installation to date. By providing natural beauty and function, the green roof contributes to the new healthcare facility’s overall focus on sustainability. A patented, subterranean modular system unites the soil and plants, creating an instantly beautiful and seamless rooftop meadow. The roofs provide aesthetic, environmental and social benefits. Beyond sustainability, green roofs provide a soothing, peaceful view for patients, staff and visitors, factors that have been shown to help improve patient outcomes.

With the Humber project committed to achieving for Leed^® Silver certification, and tracking Leed^® Gold, LiveRoof is an important component in the hospital’s green strategy, along with a number of other sustainability features, including: Brownfield Redevelopment, Energy Efficiency, Construction waste recycling, Heat Island Reduction Strategies, Low VOC-Emitting Materials, Occupant Lighting Control, Storm water Management, and Water Use Reduction.

“We know that providing natural views in a hospital can have a positive impact on healing for patients,” says Peter Hillen, owner of LiveRoof Ontario, Inc., the company which custom-grew the green roof system in Mount-Brydges.  “By installing living roofs, Humber River Hospital provides these views while managing stormwater runoff, and demonstrating its overall commitment to environmental stewardship. We congratulate Humber River Hospital as it opens its doors to the community and continues its tradition of providing outstanding patient care.”

HDR Inc. designed the new Humber River Hospital as part of the Plenary Healthcare Partnerships team that included PCL Construction (General Contractor), Quinn Design Associates of Toronto (Landscape Architect), and Flynn Canada (Green Roof Installer).

Other nearby LiveRoof brand projects include the Yorkdale Mall (installed 2012), where the currently under construction Nordstrom showroom will also feature a LiveRoof system in May of 2016.  This fall, the Toronto Transit Commission’s Sheppard West station will also be greened with LiveRoof modules.

Financial benefits can also be achieved from a vegetative roof including: extension of roof life, energy conservation, enhanced public relations, and conservation of municipal septic systems.  To learn more about how LiveRoof benefits healthcare facilities visit our benefits page.

For a unique view of this project watch this areal footage shot using a drone.

Humber River Hospital from FromAbove Inc. on Vimeo.