Arcadis to lead design for QEII Halifax Infirmary Expansion, the largest healthcare project in Atlantic Canada

Arcadis, as part of the Plenary PCL Health consortium, has been selected as the lead design firm for the QEII Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project, marking a significant milestone in Nova Scotia’s healthcare infrastructure. This initiative represents the largest healthcare expansion ever undertaken in Atlantic Canada, underscoring the province’s commitment to improving patient care, increasing hospital capacity, and integrating sustainable healthcare design principles.

With healthcare demand rising due to population growth and aging demographics, the expansion of the QEII Health Sciences Centre is a critical response to evolving medical needs. Arcadis will oversee all aspects of architecture, clinical planning, interior design, and landscape architecture, ensuring that the new acute care facility meets the highest standards of patient-centered design while enhancing operational efficiency.

A Cutting-Edge Healthcare Facility Designed for the Future

The 1.2 million-square-foot hospital expansion will be built on the existing QEII Halifax Infirmary site, integrating modern healthcare advancements into its infrastructure. The project will introduce 216 new inpatient beds, 16 cutting-edge operating theatres, an expanded emergency department, and a new intensive care unit. Designed to enhance patient flow and minimize wait times, these upgrades will significantly improve access to emergency and specialized care.

By developing a facility that merges digital healthcare innovation with sustainable architecture, Arcadis aims to create a hospital environment that prioritizes patient well-being, medical efficiency, and future adaptability. The design will ensure seamless connectivity with the existing hospital, facilitating efficient workflows for medical staff while optimizing patient-centered care.

A key aspect of the project is the integration of sustainable healthcare design principles. The new hospital is designed to achieve LEED Silver certification, incorporating energy-efficient systems, environmentally responsible materials, and smart building technologies to reduce the hospital’s carbon footprint. By prioritizing sustainability in hospital architecture, the project aligns with global trends in eco-conscious healthcare infrastructure.

Overcoming the Challenges of a Complex Hospital Expansion

Developing a state-of-the-art hospital within an active medical campus presents unique challenges, requiring meticulous planning to minimize disruptions to patient services. Arcadis will implement a phased construction strategy, ensuring that essential medical operations continue without major interruptions. The firm’s expertise in healthcare infrastructure projects will be instrumental in executing a hospital expansion that maintains continuity of care while modernizing facilities.

The integration of advanced digital planning tools, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), will play a vital role in optimizing hospital workflows, space utilization, and resource allocation. By leveraging smart healthcare design, Arcadis will enhance operational efficiency while creating a healing environment that supports both patients and medical professionals.

This project also underscores Nova Scotia’s commitment to improving healthcare accessibility. By replacing aging infrastructure with modern hospital facilities, the expansion aims to reduce surgery wait times, improve emergency response capacity, and create a more efficient hospital network.

Strategic Vision: Enhancing Patient-Centered Care in Nova Scotia

The QEII Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project represents more than just a hospital renovation—it is a long-term investment in the province’s healthcare infrastructure. The design philosophy emphasizes patient comfort, ensuring that medical spaces are not only functional but also conducive to recovery and well-being.

Hospital interiors will be designed with natural lighting, open spaces, and soundproofed patient areas to enhance comfort and minimize stress. Thoughtful hospital architecture will allow for flexible room configurations, accommodating future medical advancements and changing healthcare demands.

The facility will also feature enhanced urban connectivity, ensuring that surrounding communities benefit from improved access to healthcare services. By optimizing site utilization and integrating modern hospital design principles, the project will create a health-focused environment that aligns with the province’s long-term healthcare strategy.

Key Milestones in the QEII Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project

With construction set to unfold over six years, the expansion will progress through several critical phases, ensuring that each stage aligns with hospital efficiency goals and patient care priorities. The phased approach allows for continuous hospital operations, reducing disruptions while upgrading the facility.

Site preparation, including rock removal and infrastructure enhancements, began in spring 2024, laying the groundwork for construction. By fall 2024, a new entrance for the emergency department will open, streamlining access for patients and emergency responders.

The full-scale construction of the acute care tower is set to span from 2025 to 2031, culminating in the completion of a next-generation healthcare facility. The expansion reflects Nova Scotia’s commitment to medical innovation, ensuring that the province remains at the forefront of modern hospital infrastructure development.

Arcadis’ Expertise in Global Healthcare Infrastructure

Arcadis’ selection as the lead designer reinforces its reputation as a leader in sustainable healthcare design and hospital infrastructure planning. The company’s extensive experience in healthcare architecture and engineering solutions has positioned it as a key player in transformative hospital projects worldwide.

By combining data-driven design strategies with human-centered hospital planning, Arcadis is shaping a hospital that prioritizes efficiency, sustainability, and patient comfort. The firm’s expertise in smart healthcare architecture ensures that the QEII Halifax Infirmary Expansion aligns with evolving medical technology trends and future healthcare demands.

Advancing Healthcare in Atlantic Canada

The QEII Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project represents a landmark investment in the future of healthcare infrastructure in Nova Scotia. As the largest hospital expansion in Atlantic Canada, the project aims to set new benchmarks in patient-centered healthcare, sustainability, and hospital efficiency.

With Arcadis at the helm, the project will transform Nova Scotia’s healthcare landscape, delivering a world-class medical facility that enhances hospital accessibility, improves patient outcomes, and establishes a modern standard for healthcare design.