Stanton Hospital: The northern light of modern hospital care

Originally conceived as a renovation and addition, Stanton Territorial Hospital ultimately became a replacement facility on a brownfield site. Early assessments indicated that renovation and expansion would limit the ability to meet evolving healthcare standards, while a new build would offer better long-term value, fewer operational disruptions, and reduced construction risks.

Delivering beyond the initial plan, and despite the challenges of a fast-tracked schedule, the project resulted in a flexible, efficient, and future-ready healthcare facility.

Designed for a 30-year lifecycle, the facility emphasizes sustainability, energy efficiency, and resilience in a subarctic climate. The building envelope was engineered to withstand extreme cold, ensuring occupant comfort while meeting rigorous environmental and building codes for the Northwest Territories.

The hospital design adheres to LEED-equivalent standards with advanced energy management systems, real-time monitoring, and biomass boilers as the primary heat source, supported by dual-fuel systems and 30% spare capacity for reliability. Materials were locally sourced where possible, sustainably harvested, and included high recycled content, reducing environmental impact and supporting cost-effective construction in a remote setting.

Siting further minimized disruption by preserving existing trees and rock and using established access routes. Energy modeling informed operating costs and optimized performance, ensuring Stanton Territorial Hospital remains a high-performance, low-carbon, and climate-resilient facility.