Ruth Bader Ginsberg Hospital
with NBBJ
The Ruth Bader Ginsberg Hospital transforms the former Coney Island Hospital into a resilient healthcare campus after the wake of Superstorm Sandy. Atelier Ten
promoted resilience with a series of analysis that prioritized energy, water, facades, and landscape.
A patient’s access to natural daylight and quality views to the outdoors can improve
mood levels and promote healing. The design and performance of the building
envelope affects occupant visual and thermal comfort, particularly as patients are often located in close proximity to the envelope. Atelier Ten optimized the building
envelope for daylight and improved the insulation of the envelope, that is also resistant to hurricane level winds. With resilience in mind, all critical systems are located above the 500 year floodplan so that the hospital can continue to run during future storms.
To reduce energy use, Atelier Ten provided iterative modelling at each phase and the project is estimated to save 12% in annual energy consumption. This was achieved with a combination of strategies including a high-performing envelope, reduced lighting power density, DOAS with enthalpy recovery for patient rooms, chilled beams, perimeter radiant panels, variable speed fans, and process chilled water and steam. Atelier Ten also introduced rainwater reuse for the cooling tower that reduces water consumption by an estimated 30%.