KMCWC NICU PICU Building

Diamond Head Tower, the second phase of the redevelopment of Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children (KMCWC), boasts a new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). As Hawaii's only maternity, newborn and pediatric specialty hospital, the redevelopment of the landlocked, 4.4 acre campus and new tower adds 24 beds to bring the total to 70 private rooms sized for families. The PICU has tripled in size to 26 private acuity adaptable rooms. The nature of being located on an island provided many sustainable challenges for the project: land use issues with an urban site (the campus is situated at a busy intersection and adjacent to a major freeway), recycling waste, and providing efficient water and energy use for the facility. Due to Hawaii's high energy costs, the client was willing to invest more money to offset future operational costs. Ultimately, efficient design and equipment selection targeted energy cost savings of 20% (or $340,000) annually. Strategies included: heat recovery chillers; the use of energy efficient fluorescent and LED lighting; and lighting controls. A combination ultrasonic/passive infrared occupancy sensors are provided in utility spaces. Lighting in public spaces and all exterior lighting is controlled by a networked low voltage relay switching system. Interior photocells control interior areas where daylight is significant. A 65.5kw solar offsets $18,589 in electricity annually. Indigenous materials lend a familiarity. Rock, sea and the landscape are integral to the Hawaiian culture and serve as metaphors for birth, life and health. Designers used regional materials (17.7%) that have been recycled (30.5%), or are rapidly renewable or FSC-certified (92.4%). Furnishings were chosen for low VOCs. The building exterior¹s overall folded plate represents a seashell and the protective environment it provides for the living form inside. An overhang allows natural sunlight into the building but keeps direct sun at bay. The low-e indigo glass transmits 42% of visible light into the building while keeping heat out. Use of low-flow fixtures reduces water use by 32% for an annual savings of 720,000 gallons. Light-colored roofing and hardscape materials mitigate heat island effect. The landscape design unified all functional elements of this site into one, contiguous environment. Attractive outdoor spaces offer the connections to nature proven to improve health conditions. All plant material is native or adaptive. A turn-around lane at the front entrance is comprised of porous concrete that helps reduce stormwater runoff by 35%.