Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas has been awarded LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the first hospital in the world to achieve such status. The $200 million, 470,000-sf facility sits on 32 acres that was once part of the former Mueller Municipal Airport, which has become one of the largest redevelopment efforts in the City of Austin's history.
Sustainable elements, such as abundant natural light, renewable building materials, and an on-site power plant were all incorporated in the hospital's site plan, but the project's most important design goal was to provide a playful healing environment for children. A three-acre, multi-level healing garden is a highlight of the hospital. Articulated by passive and active spaces, it includes a multimedia movie plaza, labyrinth, human sundial, butterfly garden, floating stone fountain, and reflecting pond.
The Building Team included architect Karlsberger, Columbus, Ohio; engineers CCRD and Datum Engineering, both based in Dallas; and several local firms, including general contractor White Construction and landscape architect TBG Partners, and engineer Bury + Partners.
