Description:
Attracting medical staff to Canada's North is tough. The Yukon Hospital Corporation knew that providing efficient, attractive temporary housing would help considerably in their search for qualified staff
Their strategy worked, when the new staff residence called Crocus Ridge filled within weeks of opening its doors. At the same time, the four-storey, 5,110-square-metre facility earned LEED Silver designation with its 34 units and space for administrative offices.
According to KMBR Architects Planners Inc., a sloped roof makes the facility visually distinctive within Whitehorse while addressing the issue of snow loading and shedding. Simple, durable materials were chosen to facilitate ease of construction and not over-burden the facility's aesthetic appearance.
The design achieved value-added components not included in the original program. These include additional tenant office space and vestibules at office entrances, which provide increased energy efficiency and occupant comfort. This was achieved by selecting a smaller, more efficient mechanical system and using void space above the central stair tower. [1]
The name of the building was chosen through a contest that was open to all Yukon Hospital Corporation employees. The colourful Prairie crocus (Pulsatilla patens) is the first flower to bloom every spring on the hillsides adjacent to the residence. [2]
Since opening in the summer of 2011, the residences have been fully utilized, almost always at 100-percent occupancy. [3]
References:
[1] “CAGBC – Perspectives.” Perspectives. Canada Green Building Council, September 2011. https://www.cagbc.org/cagbcdocs/abcagbc/perspectives-sept.html.
[2] “Crocus Ridge Medical Staff Residence.” Crocus Ridge Medical Staff Residence Opens in Whitehorse, Yukon. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://explorenorth.com/yukon/whitehorse/whitehorse-nurses_residence.html.
[3] “Yukon Assembly Minutes.” Yukon Assembly. Government of Yukon, n.d. https://yukonassembly.ca/sites/default/files/hansard/33-1-098.pdf.
Additional information:
Karstens-Smith, Gemma. “Medical Staff Residence Is Already Full.” Whitehorse Daily Star. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.whitehorsestar.com/News/medical-staff-residence-is-already-full.
“LEED Score – Crocus Ridge.” Leed.cagbc.ca. LEED Green Building Rating System, n.d. https://leed.cagbc.org/leed/profile_files/12508_1_Whitehorse%20Hospital%20Staff%20Residence-LEED_Canada-NC-Scorecard-130802.pdf .
“Our Projects.” KMBR Architects. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.kmbr.com/portfolio/#!/culturerecreation/.
Project Title: Crocus Ridge Medical Staff Residence, Yukon Hospital
Artists: KMBR Architects
Year: 2011
Place: Whitehorse, Yukon Territories
Architecture, City, Completed Projects, Functional, Healthcare, LEED, LEED Silver, Multi Use, Partnership, Permanent, Private, Territory, YT, YUK, Yukon, Yukon Territory