Dell Children’s Medical Center: Austin, TX

Healing Environment

Designers sought to create a sustainable and healthy setting by incorporating ample daylight, low-emitting interior materials and a combined cooling and heating power plant that recovers waste heat. Despite a 3%–4% cost premium for the hospital’s sustainable features, construction costs remained within a typical range for new hospital construction in Texas. The nursing turnover rate during the hospital’s first year of operation was lower than average, saving staff training costs, and the average patient length of stay has decreased.