From Warehouses to Wellness: Transforming old buildings for Healthcare

Introduction

Repurposing old or unused buildings into modern life sciences and healthcare facilities is becoming a popular trend. As the demand for lab space, medical offices, clinics, and other facilities grows, developers and healthcare providers are finding creative ways to obtain affordable real estate.

Converting existing buildings is a cost-effective alternative to new construction. It also allows organizations to establish themselves in urban areas, taking advantage of nearby amenities and talent. While retrofitting old structures for highly technical uses can be challenging, careful planning and innovative design can transform these buildings into state-of-the-art facilities that support research, patient care, and community wellness.

The adaptive reuse of old factories, warehouses, schools, churches, and more provides opportunities to give new life to buildings with architectural charm. Blending the old with new high-tech features and sustainable building strategies results in unique spaces. When done successfully, repurposing old buildings can preserve a community's history while advancing scientific discovery and healthcare.

Challenges of Converting Old Buildings

Converting old buildings into modern life sciences and healthcare facilities presents several major challenges. Firstly, upgrading aging infrastructure systems like electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and technology is crucial to meet current needs. Old inefficient systems often require full replacement to support sensitive medical equipment, ensure water quality/sanitation, and maintain proper indoor air quality. Installing new systems while preserving historical features demands creative solutions.

Secondly, complying with modern building codes and accessibility standards is necessary. Updates like fire suppression, enclosed stairwells, larger elevators, ramps, and wider doors/hallways are required for safety and disability access. Asbestos/lead paint removal and seismic retrofitting may also be mandated. Healthcare-specific requirements like emergency power, medical gas, infection control, and hazardous material storage add complexity. Navigating permitting for major renovations is difficult. Bringing old buildings up to current codes involves significant costs, which can be further compounded by historical preservation rules.

Location Considerations

When converting old buildings for life sciences and healthcare use, the location is crucial. The site should be near public transportation to ensure accessibility for employees, patients, and visitors. Many old industrial buildings are located close to transit hubs or bus routes, making them suitable for conversion.

It's crucial to take into account how the new facility will integrate with the current character of the neighborhood. These facilities should maintain the exterior architecture and "feel" of the original building to blend into the surrounding community. Interior renovations can modernize the space while respecting the building's history.

Additional parking infrastructure might become necessary; however, it's crucial to ensure that any new facilities are planned and constructed in a manner that minimizes any negative impact on the surrounding community. Underground parking or smaller surface lots tucked behind the building are preferred over large surface parking lots.

By selecting an appropriate site and designing sensitively, life sciences and healthcare facilities can preserve historic buildings and enhance local communities. The location should balance transportation access with maintaining neighbourhood aesthetic and livability.

Designing Interiors

When you're updating old buildings for use as places for science and healthcare, it's really important to make sure the insides are designed in a way that helps patients feel better and keeps them safe from germs.

First off, it's a good idea to let in lots of natural light. Big windows are great for this, especially in places like patient rooms, waiting areas, and where the staff works. If the building doesn't have many windows, you can use tricks like skylights or sun tubes to bring in more sunlight. Also, using smart lights that can change brightness and color helps create a cozy atmosphere.

Making sure the place isn't too noisy is important too. When there are numerous solid surfaces present, sound tends to reverberate, creating an environment that can be less conducive to patient relaxation. Using materials like carpet and special ceiling tiles can help absorb sound. Plus, it's smart to separate noisy areas from where patients are to keep things calm.

To keep germs in check, you need the right materials. Floors should be smooth so they're easy to clean, and walls in certain rooms should be washable. Furniture and fabrics need to be tough enough to handle strong cleaning products. Good airflow and handwashing stations are key for keeping things hygienic.

And before you start, make sure there aren't any dangerous materials like lead paint that need to be taken care of. With careful planning, you can turn old buildings into places that help people heal.

Creating Flexible Spaces

As technology and healthcare practices rapidly change, it is crucial to design life sciences and healthcare facilities with flexibility and adaptability in mind, especially when converting old buildings. 

Instead of permanent walls, movable partitions allow spaces to be easily reconfigured, enlarged, divided, or repurposed as needed. For example, an office area can be joined with a conference room for a large meeting and then divided again afterwards.

It is ideal to use modular components like wall systems, furniture, flooring, and infrastructure that can be easily adapted, removed, upgraded or relocated. Raised floors allow easy access to underlying mechanical systems and wiring, simplifying infrastructure modifications.

Flexible spaces can serve multiple purposes at different times, like an open lounge area used for informal meetings during work hours and community events in the evenings or weekends.

Designing adaptable, future-ready facilities from the start makes renovations, upgrades, and repurposing easier as needs change over time. This allows organizations to maximize their real estate and efficiently evolve.

Green Building Strategies

Here are some strategies to consider when converting old buildings into modern life sciences and healthcare facilities to improve energy efficiency and sustainability:

• Install efficient HVAC with smart controls for zoning and occupancy
• Improve insulation in walls, roofs, and windows
• Replace windows with energy efficient double/triple pane 
• Use LED lighting with occupancy/daylight sensors
• Add solar panels on roofs for renewable electricity
• Reuse existing building materials when possible
• Install low-flow WaterSense plumbing fixtures  
• Implement building automation system to optimize energy
• Consider on-site power like combined heat/power
• Use shade trees, reflective roofs, green roofs/walls
• Target LEED certification for validating sustainability

Upgrade systems like HVAC, lighting, and plumbing to more efficient models, improve insulation, use renewable energy like solar, reuse materials, add energy monitoring systems, and include green design to reduce heat. Pursuing LEED certification shows dedication to sustainable building practices.

Security and Safety

Repurposing old buildings for life sciences and healthcare requires stringent security measures to control access and prevent hazards.

Prioritizing safety and security is crucial to safeguard patients, staff, and research from potential hazards.

Access Control Systems:

1) Keycards, biometrics, codes restrict access to sensitive areas like labs, cleanrooms, pharmacies

2) Video surveillance monitors entry points and high-security zones

3) Visitor management protocols ensure proper badging and escorts

Hazard Prevention:

1) Follow building codes and regulations for healthcare facilities

2) Safety officer oversees risk assessments, emergency planning, inspections, training

3) Design choices: non-slip floors, lighting, ventilation, ergonomics

4) Fume hoods and biosafety cabinets protect against airborne hazards

5) Emergency notification system for crisis communication

6) Proper waste disposal and infection control

With careful planning and design, repurposed buildings can provide controlled, hazard-free environments for life sciences and healthcare. Ongoing training, drills, and proper execution of security and safety measures allow innovative research and quality patient care to thrive.

Supporting Wellness

A healing environment is about more than just medical equipment. The design and ambiance of healthcare spaces greatly impact patients, families, and staff. When repurposing old buildings, creating a soothing, uplifting atmosphere should be prioritized. 

Incorporating nature elements nurtures wellness. Large windows allow in natural light, which lifts moods. Interior gardens, plants, and water features provide calming greenery and water sounds, relieving stress and aiding healing.

Using natural materials and muted colors contributes to a zen-like feel. Wood, stone, and textured fabrics give an organic sense. Muted blues and greens evoke nature. Calm colors provide a soothing backdrop for difficult health challenges.  

Art and design details set the tone. Nature imagery like landscapes and photographs invoke peacefulness. Warm, ergonomic furnishings, daylight, and thoughtful design demonstrate care. When a space feels uplifting, it directly supports wellbeing.

Successful Examples

The transformation of old buildings into state-of-the-art life sciences and healthcare facilities is a remarkable trend that breathes new life into communities while preserving architectural heritage. One stellar example is the conversion of a 100-year-old tobacco warehouse in Durham, North Carolina, into a vibrant hub for life sciences startups and biotech companies. The historic building's character and flexible spaces cater to diverse needs, anchoring a 17-acre innovation district.

Tobacco warehouse in Durham, North Carolina

The Northern railway diagnostic centre in New Delhi, designed by Creative Designer Architects (CDA), is an adaptive reuse project that revitalises an old and run-down ancillary building on the NRCH site. 

Northern railway diagnostic centre, New Delhi

When executed with care and vision, breathing new life into old buildings creates win-win solutions. The preservation of historic structures makes efficient use of resources and taps into the inspiring heritage of places. Old buildings and new healthcare innovations can blend seamlessly, affirming that the past and future both have an important role to play.