Rush University Medical Center Constructs Sustainable Hospital

Rush University Medical Center is constructing a 300-bed, $575 million hospital in Chicago. Designed by Perkins+Will, the facility began construction in fall of 2008 and is slated for occupancy in 2012. LEED Gold certification for sustainable design will be sought for the new teaching hospital, which will feature energy efficient building systems and a green roof. The 14-story building will have a butterfly shape that expands outward at higher stories from a smaller rectangular base. The facility will be serviced by a fleet of 32 robots for materials transport and distribution. The construction manager is Powers/Jacobs. Rush began construction on a central power plant and 510-car parking garage at the site in 2007; completion is slated for early 2009. Several other facilities on campus will be renovated between 2013 and 2015 and demolition will occur in 2015 on buildings over a century old.