Sustainability Report
Embodied carbon
The primary embodied-carbon strategy is the retention and reuse of the existing building fabric. The project preserves the bowstring-truss structural system, slab-on-grade, roof structure, and large portions of the enclosure, avoiding demolition, new foundations, and primary structural replacement. By limiting new construction to targeted sectional insertions rather than footprint expansion, the project significantly reduces material demand and associated embodied emissions compared to a new-build medical facility.
Operational Emissions / Energy
Operational emissions are addressed through load-reduction strategies prior to system optimization. Targeted envelope improvements—such as enhanced air sealing, roof performance upgrades, and strategic shading—reduce peak thermal demand typical of former big-box retail buildings. Mechanical systems are right-sized to actual loads, with controls and scheduling used to avoid continuous conditioning. Participation in the AIA 2030 DDx program includes Energy Use Intensity (EUI) calculations based on available project data.
Service and maintenance emissions
Service and maintenance emissions are reduced through material continuity and system longevity. Retaining durable structural and enclosure components minimizes the need for replacement cycles and associated embodied impacts over time. Mechanical and operational systems prioritize efficiency, controllability, and maintainability rather than frequent upgrades, reducing long-term service-related emissions.
Afterlife
Adaptive reuse was a foundational design premise, not only for the initial transformation but for the building’s long-term afterlife. The retained long-span structural system enables programmatic flexibility, allowing future healthcare, community, or alternative uses to be accommodated without altering the primary structure or expanding the building footprint. Floor plans maintain clear structural grids and open zones to support future reconfiguration with minimal intervention.
Major building elements—such as the primary structure and core systems—are intended for longevity rather than frequent removal. However, the project aligns with circular-economy principles through conservation-based strategies: keeping existing materials in continuous use, minimizing new short-life construction, and extending the functional lifespan of the building fabric.