Kaiser Permanente is holding a unique contest to solicit designs for a smaller, greener hospital.
Its "Small Hospital, Big Idea" contest offers the winning entrant up to $750,000 to further develop his or her concept. The contest reflects a growing trend in "green" hospital construction and renovation.
The winner could even end up contracting with the Oakland-based Kaiser to build a new 100-bed hospital, which is planned for construction in Lancaster, about an hour’s drive north of Los Angeles. A winner for the juried competition will be announced later this year.
Kaiser officials say entries should ensure a much smaller facility footprint that is "greener" than the typical hospital design while serving the growing number of patients who live further away from urban centers.
The hospital template would use green concepts aimed at exceeding Kaiser’s pledge to increase renewable energy resources by 27 percent and cut energy use by 20 percent over the next decade, Kaiser spokeswoman Susan McDonough said.
For more information:
- read the California HealthLine article
- read Kaiser’s announcement
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