The UNC Hospitals Surgical Tower at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) is a cutting-edge, 375,000-square-foot addition to the campus, complementing Memorial Hospital. Designed by Page, this Surgical Tower was developed in close collaboration with the hospital, the School of Medicine, and university planners. As a key part of the campus master plan, the tower features over 20 operating rooms, 80 private patient beds, and 56 pre- and post-op care areas, supporting large, specialized teams and allowing spaces to adapt to ongoing advancements in technology and patient care.
Page, renowned for its strategic planning and performance-driven architectural design, celebrated the opening of three major healthcare facilities this year, including the UNC Hospitals Surgical Tower, an advanced burn treatment unit, and a modernized pediatrics hospital. These facilities focus on improving patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and the ability to evolve with future healthcare demands.
Heading into 2025, the UNC Hospitals Surgical Tower and similar projects reflect emerging healthcare design trends:
- Elevated Whimsy: Integrating lively colors and unexpected materials like blue terrazzo introduces vibrancy and optimism—an important feature in spaces like children’s hospitals.
- Natural Materials: The use of natural elements, like wood, adds warmth to the clinical setting, balancing clean aesthetics with textural depth while maintaining healthcare standards.
- Future Flexibility: Flexible spaces in facilities like the UNC Hospitals Surgical Tower ensure adaptability to the fast pace of medical advancements, allowing areas to serve multiple functions—such as transforming family rooms into expanded treatment spaces as needs change.
Photography credit: Albert Vecerka/Esto
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