Toronto's rebuilt Bridgepoint Active Health centre has been widely celebrated for its architecturally innovative approach to wellness. Where hospitals were once designed as austere environments, the new building overlooking Toronto's Don Valley takes a more holistic approach to wellness. 

Design Matters, image courtesy of Ryerson DAS

Opened in 2013, Bridgepoint's architecture, public art, community, and surrounding landscape, are envisioned as part of an integrative healthcare formula. Now, the new 'Design Matters' exhibit at Ryerson's Paul H. Cocker Gallery presents the findings of a study evaluating the impact of the building's design on both patients and staff.

In advance of Bridgepoint's much anticipated re-opening, the long-term "Pre-Post Occupancy Evaluation" study was commissioned to analyze the effects of the new design. Overseen by the hospital's research arm, Bridgepoint Research Collaboratory, the study used the architectural design objectives of "humanizing" and socially integrating the hospital environment as the basis of comparison between the old and new facilities. In particular, the study focused on public spaces—designed to maximize daylight and panoramic views—as a factor in perceived health outcomes and general outlook.  

Bridgepoint Active Health in early 2015, image by UT Forum contributor skycandy

The new Bridgepoint Active Health was designed by a partnership of Diamond Schmitt ArchitectsHDR ArchitectsKPMB Architects and Stantec Architecture , with landscaping appointed by Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg and the MBTW Group.

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Design Matters is curated by Cheryl Atkinson—one of the study's Principal Investigators along with Dr. Celeste Alvaro—and will be shown at the Cocker Gallery from February 29th to May 15th. An opening reception will be held on March 3rd at 6:30 PM. The Paul H. Cocker Gallery is located at 325 Church Street. Admission is free.

Related Companies:  Bass Installation, CFMS Consulting Inc., Diamond Schmitt Architects, entro, HDR, LiveRoof Ontario Inc, LRI Engineering Inc., PCL Construction, Stantec, StrategyCorp