The redevelopment of Royal Inland Hospital is a two-phase project aimed at significantly enhancing healthcare services in Kamloops. The first phase focused on constructing the Phil and Jennie Gaglardi Tower, a 9-storey facility featuring single patient rooms, advanced operating suits, a spring-isolated rooftop heliport, and a neonatal intensive care unit. The second phase involves extensive renovations to the existing hospital, including upgrades to the emergency department, installation of new roof-mounted air handling units, and expanding the triage area, all designed to improve patient care and operational efficiency.
The new tower’s design presented unique challenges due to the congested site between the existing hospital and a steep slop. To maximize space, pile-supported foundations adjacent to the slope were used and a feature atrium was built nestled within an existing courtyard. Bounded on three sides by existing structures, the atrium required the use of cantilevered concrete transfer beams and structural steel moment frames as well as integrated expansion joints to create a seamless yet seismically separated area.