Design and construction team chosen for the Clinical Support and Research Centre at new St. Paul’s Hospital

People in B.C. are a step closer to benefiting from world-class research and integrated health care as the delivery team has been selected for the design and construction of the Clinical Support and Research Centre (CSRC) at the new St. Paul’s Hospital on the Jim Pattison Medical Campus in Vancouver.

Providence Health Care has selected Diamond Schmitt Architects and Kirsten Reite Architecture as the Prime Consultant team to lead the design of the CSRC. In addition, PCL Construction has been selected as the Construction Manager to oversee all pre-construction and construction aspects of the Project.

“Diamond Schmitt and PCL have demonstrated exceptional expertise as architects and builders. I have immense confidence in their ability to deliver upon our unique vision of transforming care through innovation, research and learning in a purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility,” says Fiona Dalton, president & CEO, Providence Health Care.

“Our government made a commitment to people in B.C. to establish a cutting-edge research centre in the heart of the new St. Paul’s Hospital campus,” says Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “Establishing these dynamic, experienced design and construction teams marks an important milestone and moves us closer to the construction of a facility that will enhance patient care through integrating scientific discovery and research into day-to-day clinical practice.”

To select the teams, Providence issued competitive requests-for-proposals, and carried out extensive evaluations of shortlisted teams dedicated to bringing the CSRC to life.

Gateway to the new St. Paul’s health care campus

Don Schmitt, principal, Diamond Schmitt Architects, says: “The design approach to St. Paul’s Hospital’s new Clinical Support and Research Centre creates a gateway to the health care campus. Designed as an innovation hub focused on providing flexible clinical spaces and lab spaces to support advancements in life sciences research and cross-disciplinary collaborations, the centre is also envisioned as a community hub and crossroads. A new civic plaza, large outdoor terraces on upper floors and interconnected spaces will enhance accessibility and establish a truly integrated health care facility – a vibrant place of science and social activity in downtown Vancouver.”

The CSRC will be approximately 34,400 square metres (370,000 square feet) in size and connected with a sky-bridge to the new St. Paul’s Hospital, which is under construction. The facility will house key research centres, programs and disciplines. It will also be home to specialty physician practices to complement care provided in the hospital, corporate services space and a 49-space childcare centre.

CSRC – where life-changing treatments are found

“With the donor community’s help, we can realize the full vision of the new St. Paul’s Hospital,” says Dick Vollet, president and CEO, St. Paul’s Foundation. “More than just bricks and mortar, the CSRC will be where life-changing treatments are found as leaders in medicine, life sciences, and technology work together to advance discoveries from the lab to the hospital to communities across B.C. and beyond. Join us today at HelpStPauls.com.”

The provincial government approved the $638-million research and clinical support centre in 2023. The major funding sources include contributions from the provincial goernment, Providence, St. Paul’s Foundation and ChildCare BC New Spaces Program. Building design and pre-construction activities are now underway.

“PCL is excited to work with Providence Health Care (PHC) as their construction partner on the Clinical Support and Research Centre,” says Jeff Murphy, vice president and district manager, PCL. “We are proud to be a part of this project that provides space for research and health care in the community as we continue our partnership with PHC in the development of the New St. Paul’s Hospital and Health Campus.”

Quick Facts:

• The centre’s modern and innovative design will create intentional collaborative spaces that promote information-sharing, engagement and scientific discourse across 12 occupied storeys.
• The new facility will integrate research and clinical practice, bringing together researchers, clinicians and academics in a world class environment.
• An Innovation Centre, envisioned as a hub for scientists, inventors and innovators, will provide extensive training opportunities and space to build prototypes, incubate start-up ventures, foster novel discoveries, co-develop solutions and bring preventions, treatments and cures from lab to market back to the patient.
• The centre’s visionary approach aims to push the boundaries of science, innovation and care in a learning health technology ecosystem, strengthening academic partnerships and optimizing translational medicine between researchers, medical professionals and industry experts.
• Diamond Schmitt brings significant experience in designing clinical health care and research lab buildings for scientific advancement, knowledge transfer and medical education. The firm’s approach to designing these facilities focuses on creating humanizing environments that foster unique connections and cross-disciplinary collaborations; and that anticipate and adapt to the changing needs of researchers and practitioners.
• PCL is one of the largest construction organizations in North America, completing more than $9 billion in work annually. PCL has been building in British Columbia for nearly 50 years. It has a long history of constructing health care and research centres across Canada and is currently building the new St. Paul’s Hospital adjacent to the CSRC.