North America’s First Mass Timber Acute Care Hospital Planned for Picton, Ontario

Site work has begun on what is expected to be North America’s first all mass timber acute care hospital, Building Design+Construction reported (1-7-25). The 97,000-sf Quinte Health Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital is being built in Picton, Ontario, Canada, and is expected to be completed in 2027.

Designed by HDR and constructed by M. Sullivan & Son, the mass timber structure integrates sustainable building practices with advanced medical technology. “It’s about balancing environmental and social sustainability,” said Jason-Emery Groen, HDR’s design principal, in a statement. “Mass timber in healthcare is simultaneously about human comfort and environmental stewardship.”

The design emphasizes energy efficiency and a reduced carbon footprint by incorporating natural light, energy-efficient windows, and sustainable materials throughout the structure.

The hospital’s enhanced clinical capabilities will include 23 inpatient beds, an emergency department, diagnostic imaging, procedures, and comprehensive ambulatory care services.

Stacey Daub, President and CEO of Quinte Health, said:

“The new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital is more than a modern healthcare facility—it’s a reflection of the remarkable pride this community has in its hometown hospital spanning more than a century. Transitioning from an older outdated building to an innovative, all mass timber structure allows Quinte Health to meet the latest standards in healthcare and provide a safer, more resilient space that serves both our community and the thousands of visitors drawn to the beautiful region each year.”