Healthcare sector buildings account for nearly 10% of all the CO2emissions in North America. These facilities, many of which are outdated,are being confronted by rising energy costs, poor indoor air quality, andoutdated technologies. Solutions to these and other growing issues must be addressed, or the implications to society could extend far beyondshort term economic issues. Potential consequences would impact theinstitution, the shareholders, employees, community and the end user– the patient. The healthcare industry is aware of these implications andhas begun to embrace energy efficiency as a viable cost-effective pathto improve operational margins, but we must prepare to go far beyondthese measures to ensure our infrastructure is able to support the growingdemands on our healthcare system and the environment.

The DCL Design Charrette and Workshop, on January 25th 2012, brought together cleantech leaders and senior executives from across Ontario’shealthcare sector to support the development of the most advancedhealthcare facility in Ontario. The purpose of the event was to review thenext evolution in medical facility design, green materials and processes,energy efficiency, and advanced technologies to discover opportunities forsustainable innovation.