Augusta University Health, Children’s Hospital of Georgia Expansion

The 100,000 SF Children’s Hospital addition will provide an opportunity for family centered care, expanding the NICU from 40 open bay beds to 66 private NICU rooms, and creating a new Cancer and Oncology Center with 10 Bone Marrow Transplant Beds and 10 Hemoc Beds. The 14-bed, Pediatric Intensive Care unit will be relocated to the 3rd floor to provide a direct connection to the surgery suite. The ICU will be expanded to provide a 10-bed pediatric cardiac intensive care unit. A surgery suite expansion will accommodate 2 new operating rooms, and additional pre, post, and PACU rooms.

New family amenities include a food court and outdoor dining on the ground floor, and a dedicated child life space for the inpatient cancer center. Multi-functional educational amenities for residents and physicians facilitate the mission of the academic medical center. The expansion will replace the main entrance and require multiple phases to keep the hospital operational during the construction period.

The exterior design complements the previous architecture by using similar materials, but departs from the rectangular massing by implementing a large curve for the bed tower to maximize daylight on the patient floors. A covered drop-off for families with playful sculptural elements supports the cantilevered floor above. The entrance fountain includes a sculpture from the original hospital that was important to maintain.

MPS is currently helping the client establish planning parameters and guiding principles to establish the decision making process. Present work includes developing the space program, stacking diagram, and concept plans.