CHUM: A Hospital Design That Transcends Healing

Reimagining Healthcare as a Cultural and Architectural Landmark

Occupying two city blocks, CHUM integrates three hospitals and links Montreal’s downtown and Old Montreal. The complex is connected to the public Metro, a research complex, and is surrounded by four distinct urban faces. The organizing element of the project is the plaza, a pleasant public space for leisure and contemplation that gives neighboring buildings exposure to natural light, provides orientation throughout the complex, and folds into the buildings linking public spaces and entrances. Heritage architectural artifacts are also incorporated into this urban experience.

The project boasts an impressive 268,000 square meters of floor area, standing 20 stories high. It features 443 examination rooms, 36 operating rooms, and 772 bedrooms, making it one of the largest and most advanced healthcare facilities in the world.

With the urban plaza created on Saint-Denis Street, the proposed massing of CHUM breathes new life into the pedestrian street. It provides natural light and exposure to the neighboring historic buildings while animating the streetscape with a series of architectural objects, including the Saint-Sauveur Steeple, the Maison Garth and Space of Contemplation box within the Saint-Denis glass vitrine, the Auditorium building, and the main entrance canopy. The public plaza also serves as the location of the entry court, welcoming visitors into this architectural masterpiece.

The CHUM project, which began in 2010 in Montreal, Canada, is set to be completed in 2020. Its construction posed significant challenges due to its scale and density. As the most important public-private partnership hospital venture in Canada’s history, the program seemed too dense to fit on the chosen urban site and footprint in downtown Montreal. However, the complexity of the program and the size of the effort expanded the scope of the project beyond the realm of a single building, sparking a broader reflection on the challenges and cultural impacts associated with this type of urban density.

CHUM's design has garnered recognition and acclaim, including the prestigious Silver A' Design Award in 2016. This award is a testament to its top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable design, showcasing outstanding expertise and innovation. CHUM's strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill evoke positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.