Category Design Show all
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Mock-up review: Enhancing inpatient washroom design
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Before the Christmas break, Graham Design-Builders conducted a detailed mock-up review of the inpatient washroom and accessories on-site of the new Hospital. This session was crucial for gathering user feedback and ensuring the design meets the highest standards of functionality and safety.
Representatives from NH Facilities Maintenance, Infection Prevention and Control, and Rehabilitation were in attendance to provide feedback on the placement of accessories. Key points of feedback included the:
- Placement of the nightlight to ensure the space was sufficiently illuminated and to enhance visibility and safety during nighttime use
- Location and size of swing-up grab bars
- Placement of sink cleanout and shut off valves
- Placement and width of the backrest to ensure compliance with the BC Building Code’s requirements
- Height of the flush valve and any necessary supports to ensure it doesn’t interfere with the backrest
- Placement of the Nurse Call, Emergency and Call Bell devices to ensure they are accessible without posing a ligature risk
- Location of the paper towel dispenser to improve access near the sink and avoid patients bumping into it
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Mock-up #3 in the Quonset hut
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Last week, Graham Design Builders LP submitted the 95% design and hosted the third round of mock-ups inside the Quonset hut.
Read more about ‘what’s inside the Quonset hut’.
Mock-up #3 consisted of a fully constructed bariatric inpatient bedroom and washroom and isolation room and anteroom. These rooms included sample materials and finishes, millwork locations, key pieces of equipment, IMIT device and power receptacle locations, and furniture. Leadership representatives were able to experience key features of the design, provide feedback and input, and make design decisions.
In addition to the constructed rooms, they reviewed window blinds, the layout of a medication room and the layout of the LDRP washroom and birthing tub.
Mock-up #4 will be a prototype of an inpatient bedroom and washroom and bariatric room which will include all materials, services, millwork, finishes, equipment and furniture. It’ll be constructed in its actual location within the new facility and reviewed at various stages of construction.
Photos from inside the isolation room and anteroom
Photos from inside the bariatric inpatient room and washroom
Photos from inside the medication room
Photos from inside the LDRP washroom with the birthing tub
Photo of the window blinds review
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Multi-trade rack mock-up in Coquitlam
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On February 22 and 29, members from the DCDH PMO, Graham, HDR and subcontractor representatives attended an in-person mock-up review of a typical multi-trade rack in Coquitlam to provide feedback and discuss the pre-fabrication design.
A multi-trade rack (MTR) is a steel frame structure that contains elements such as ductwork, water lines, heating pipes, sprinkler lines, valves, VAV boxes, steel studs and drywall, electrical components and anything else that is located in the ceiling of a corridor. Part of the project strategy is to pre-fabricate large components of the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital using MTRs. There will be approximately 90 in the new facility varying in size between 16’ to 24’ long.
While in production, three MTRs will be built per week. Fabrication is done based on an established sequence of activities so as to facilitate assembly-line like production to maximize completion output.
Once they are fabricated, the MTRs will undergo inspection and testing and then be shrink wrapped and shipped to Dawson Creek starting as early as July.
Once the MTRs arrive on-site, they’ll be lifted up with the tower crane, rolled onto the floor into position, inspected again, hoisted up into the ceiling space, and then bolted to the underside of the suspended slab. Once they are installed, the two-foot gap between each one will be in-filled, inclusive of all the mechanical and electrical services and drywall.
Pre-fabricating the MTRs off-site allows for them to be completed while work is still underway on the concrete superstructure as opposed to waiting until that work is complete. This method is also quicker, more cost effective, improves quality control, and is safer as it prevents workers having to work at heights.
Note: Image is from another project showing the MTR being lifted by the crane -
Renderings: Public Interior Spaces
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Please note: Renderings are from the 95% design submission and are approximate and subject to change at any time. They are simulated views and information depicted is illustrative. The Design Builder makes no guarantee that what is depicted will ultimately appear as shown in the final design and construction.
Main entrance
Registration and waiting area
Public seating area and cafe, which will be operated by a third-party
Entrance to the spiritual room
Inside the spiritual room
Elevator lobby (Level 1)
Emergency Department registration and waiting room -
Renderings: Patient Rooms and Care Stations
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Please note: Renderings are from the 95% design submission and are approximate and subject to change at any time. They are simulated views and information depicted is illustrative. There is no guarantee that what is depicted will ultimately appear as shown in the final design and construction.
Typical inpatient room
Typical labour, delivery, recovery, post-partum (maternity) inpatient room 
Typical bariatric inpatient room
Typical isolation room
Mental health patient room
Inpatient unit east care station
Inpatient unit centre care station
Maternity (LDRP) care station
Convalescent care station -
Site plan
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Please note: The site plan is approximate and subject to change at any time. All renderings are simulated views and information depicted is illustrative. The Design Builder makes no guarantee that what is depicted will ultimately appear as shown in the final design and construction. Plant species illustrated may not be representative of the final species or maturity of the plants selected during the detailed design stage.
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First look at the new Dawson Creek and District Hospital
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Please note: Renderings are from the 60% design submission and are approximate and subject to change at any time. These are simulated views and information depicted is illustrative. The Design Builder makes no guarantee that what is depicted in the renderings will ultimately appear as shown in the final design and construction. Plant species illustrated may not be representative of the final species or maturity of the plants selected during the detailed design stage.
Aerial view of front of building
Proximity to old facility 
View from 112 Ave 
View from southeast
View from southwest -
Working groups provide valuable input
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Northern Health is committed to receiving valuable input into design aspects of the new hospital through a mix of engagement initiatives, user consultations, committees and working groups. Engagement is a major part of Northern Health capital projects, and there will be many opportunities for input from the community as this project progresses.
The Dawson Creek and District Hospital (DCDH) Replacement Project has been supported by a Capital Advisory Committee (CAC) since October 2020. The CAC has representation from the local community, stakeholders and Indigenous representatives, and has provided guidance in relation to the project.
We have recently formed two additional sub-working groups to serve under the CAC and provide feedback and input into the design of the new hospital. The two new working groups are the Community Advisory Working Group (CAWG) and the Indigenous Advisory Working Group (IAWG). The purpose of these groups is to have a forum for members to provide input into design aspects of the project to ensure the new facility is locally and culturally safe, welcoming, respectful and relevant. The working groups inform the project to help ensure the facility reflects and supports the communities served by the Dawson Creek & District Hospital. Input and feedback gathered from all of these committees and groups is extremely valuable and we are tremendously grateful for the participation of the members.
Read the April 2023 Project Update to view the current CAWG and IAWG membership lists.
Feedback and input gathered from the working groups is filtered upwards. It first goes to the CAC, then it goes to the Project Steering Committee who, in collaboration with the Project Board, balances the complexities of a capital building project.
In addition to the CAC, IAWG, and CAWG, the project team works closely with small groups of “users” who represent their areas of expertise to gather feedback and input from a clinical point of view. The users work with the Design-Builder during User Consultation Meetings (UCM) and Special Topic Meetings (STM) to help them better understand over-arching concepts, ensure that all departments are situations correctly for the best clinical care and efficiencies and advise on standard operational best practices. Feedback and input gathered from the users is taken back to the Design-Builder for consideration and incorporation.
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What's inside the Quonset hut?
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In mid-October, a mysterious 120’ long by 72’ wide white Quonset hut appeared on the Southwest corner of the current hospital’s property.
We’ve heard a lot of theories about what’s inside the hut… ranging from a storage shed, to a greenhouse, to the set for the next Dexter sequel, to showrooms, to a laboratory. We can confirm that only one of those theories is somewhat accurate and it is showrooms.
Although, the Quonset hut isn’t exactly a traditional showroom as you would think, with brand new shiny pieces of medical equipment and an exact replica of the entire new hospital inside. But – it is constructed rooms with life-size replicas and mock-ups of key areas of the new hospital that we are showing to select groups.
Now you might be wondering, what’s the purpose of installing the Quonset hut? Well, it’s a key component of the ongoing design process and will remain in place until 100% of the design is complete.
Who is able to access the Quonset hut? Only select groups of physicians and health care staff are able to access the hut, which we refer to as “the users”. The users represent their areas of expertise and are selected or appointed to participate in the ongoing design process. The Quonset hut is not open to the public. We understand that you are curious to see what the design of the new hospital will look like. We can assure you that when we’re able to share more details about the design with the public, we will. Stay tuned!
How does the ongoing design process work? It’s broken down into four phases – the 30%, 60%, 95% and 100% design submissions. In September, we received and reviewed the 30% design submission from the Design-Builder. Prior to approving the submission, the Design-Builder delivered the first mock-up in a virtual format with 3D drawings of key areas to help the users visualize features of the rooms and provide relevant feedback. We are now progressing towards the 60% design submission.
On November 14 and 15, the users were guided through the hut for the second series of mock-ups to experience certain design features of each room. The users’ feedback will be incorporated in the 60% design submission.
This mock-up has fully constructed walls with 1:1 prints of elements of the room covering the walls and floors – such as millwork, services, furniture and equipment, IMIT device locations, and power and data receptacle locations.
The rooms included in the second mock-up are:
- Labour, delivery, recovery and post-partum room
- Nursing station
- Medication room
- Soiled utility room
- Exam room
- Emergency – Resuscitation/trauma room
- Emergency – Exam/treatment room
- Medical in-patient bedroom and washroom
- Typical patient room
- In-patient bariatric room
- Isolation room
- Anteroom
The next step in the ongoing design process is the Design-Builder submitting the 60% design submission with feedback from recent User Consultation Meetings and the second mock-up being incorporated. When the project team reviews the 60% design submission, the Design-Builder will begin working towards the 95% design submission.
During the next design phase (60-95%), a third mock-up will be constructed inside the Quonset hut which will build on details from the second and include actual materials and finishes.
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Embedding Indigenous cultural elements into the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital
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In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we acknowledge the history and legacy of the residential school system, honour the survivors, and remember the children who did not return home. We are committed to acknowledging the long-lasting effects of this history and educating ourselves about the impact it has had on Indigenous peoples, families, and communities.
Northern Health and the Dawson Creek and District Hospital Replacement Project Team are committed to developing and implementing an engagement and communication strategy that is founded on recognition, respect, co-operation, and partnership with local Indigenous communities and partners.
The Dawson Creek and District Hospital (DCDH) serves the communities of the Peace Region, the Treaty 8 First Nations and Kelly Lake Cree Nation. We are grateful to live and work in Treaty 8 territory, on the traditional lands of those Nations represented in the Treaty 8 Tribal Association, the ancestral home of the Sicannie (Sikanni), Slavey, Beaver (Dane-Zaa), Cree, and Saulteau. We also acknowledge Métis Nation BC Citizens and Chartered Communities across the North.
The new state-of-the-art Dawson Creek and District Hospital will be designed to improve the care and healing environment for patients, promote culturally safe care and will be built with feedback gathered from local Indigenous communities, as well as stakeholders in Dawson Creek and surrounding communities.
In the early stages of the project, we formed a Capital Advisory Committee (CAC) in order to gather advice and recommendations on local and cultural considerations, patient experiences, First Nations engagement, culturally appropriate design input, and related topics. The CAC has representation from Saulteau First Nations, West Moberly First Nations, Kelly Lake Cree Nation, the First Nations Health Authority, and Indigenous Health.
Over the coming months we will engage with local Indigenous communities, organizations, and groups for recommendations and advice pertaining to Indigenous cultural values and practices as they relate to capital projects. We will be forming an Indigenous Advisory Working Group (IAWG) which is envisioned to offer a safe space for Indigenous people’s input into design aspects of the project. The purpose of the IAWG is to ensure the new facility is culturally safe, welcoming, respectful and relevant. We will be seeking representation for the IAWG from the Treaty 8 Tribal Association, Saulteau First Nations, West Moberly First Nations, Doig River First Nation, Halfway River First Nation, Prophet River First Nation, Blueberry River First Nation, Fort Nelson First Nation, Kelly Lake Cree Nation, North East Métis Association, Moccasin Flats Métis Society and more.
Before any construction work begins on the land of the new hospital, we will work with local Indigenous communities to honour and recognize the relationship between the traditional territory of the Treaty 8 First Nations and the Dawson Creek and District Hospital Replacement Project.
As the design of the new hospital progresses, we are working closely with the preferred proponent, Clark Builders-Turner-HDR-Architecture (the Design-Builder), to ensure that the new facility is welcoming, inviting, and supportive of the spiritual health of all people and that Indigenous cultural elements are demonstrated throughout the facility. This includes:
- Incorporating features that reflect and represent local Indigenous communities
- Visual representation of Indigenous culture such as artwork, colour schemes, artefacts, landscaping and plants used for traditional healing
- A non-denominational spiritual room to accommodate and support cultural ceremonies, extended family, and multi-generational involvement in care
- Incorporating local Indigenous language, in addition to English, on select exterior and interior wayfinding signage
Note: The graphic used for this story was specially designed by Gitxsan artist Cori Johnson for Northern Health to recognize National Truth and Reconciliation/Orange shirt day. Read more about the graphic and the artist.
