E14 – Futureproofing Healthcare Infrastructure: Collaborative Engineering at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Effective collaboration between owners and design teams is crucial for improved decision-making in healthcare projects, leading to integrated solutions that not only align with the owner’s objectives but also enhance outcomes. This session explores the collaborative, iterative engineering planning and design processes involved in developing the building infrastructure systems for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s (CHOP) new high-intensity inpatient bed tower.
Attendees will learn how early collaboration between CHOP and the design team facilitated the creation of robust, flexible, and sustainable infrastructure for this new 1.3 million-square-foot facility, situated in the heart of University City in Philadelphia. This partnership was instrumental in shaping decisions about cost-effective innovative engineering systems and operational strategies, resulting in reliable, resilient systems capable of withstanding and recovering from disruptions.
Additionally, presenters will address the business case for investing in infrastructure that promotes safety throughout the building’s lifecycle, from day-one occupancy through long-term renovations and expansion. Examples will demonstrate how CHOP’s building systems were uniquely configured to meet these goals, helping to futureproof the facility and enable the highest quality of care for the most critically ill pediatric patients.



