Turner Construction has reached a significant milestone in the redevelopment of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), topping out the highly anticipated project in Boston. The 1.9-million-square-foot project, a joint venture with Walsh Brothers, is constructed to be a new standard for sustainable and resilient healthcare building.
Keeping in mind Boston’s ambitious 2050 carbon emission reduction goals, the project integrates forward-thinking design methodologies to optimize both sustainability and operational resilience. Turner’s preconstruction team played a pivotal role in estimating costs, utilizing creative solutions, and preparing the hospital to withstand future climate change-related challenges.
Engineering Resilience in Healthcare Construction
As weather-related threats intensify, hospitals must be able to weather the storms without compromising patient care. Turner’s Vice President & Construction Executive for the project, Brian Chase, spoke to the importance of resilience in modern healthcare buildings.
“We’ve seen firsthand how extreme weather events can disrupt hospital operations, putting patients at risk. That’s why it’s essential to integrate resilient design elements from the start, ensuring healthcare facilities can continue functioning in the face of climate challenges,” said Chase.
The Massachusetts General Hospital redevelopment incorporates multiple features to enhance its resilience:
Climate-responsive systems – Wind-resistant designs and flood barriers mitigate risks posed by severe weather.
Resilient infrastructure – Upon completion, the Massachusetts General Hospital will be able function autonomously for as long as 96 hours in shelter-in-place situations, providing uninterrupted care in case of emergencies.
Sustainability integration – The buildings will boasts an impressive 90% reduction in emissions relative to typical hospital designs.
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Pioneering Low-Carbon Solutions for Energy-Intensive Healthcare
Hospitals, particularly in cold-climate cities like Boston, require plenty of energy to maintain indoor temperatures. To address this need, Turner collaborated with mechanical engineering firm BR+A to install a state-of-the-art heat pump system recycling waste heat from the building’s exhaust.
This “exhaust-source heat pump” provides about 20% of the hospital’s peak heating demand and cuts carbon emissions by nearly 90%. Instead of overdesigning to accommodate rare peak conditions, the system is efficient all year round and delivers maximum cost saving and environmental benefits.
Peter Hamill, Turner’s Project Principal and Senior Vice President, highlighted the broader implications of the project’s sustainable design.
“Sustainable healthcare construction isn’t just about weatherproofing buildings—it’s about creating facilities that are adaptable, energy-efficient, and prepared for the future, by focusing on resilience and innovation, we’re not only meeting today’s needs but also setting a precedent for the next generation of healthcare projects,” said Hamill.
A Blueprint for the Future of Healthcare Construction
As cities aim for greener and climate-resilient development, the MGH project is a benchmark for integrating sustainability into advanced healthcare facilities, by balancing functional needs with creative engineering, Turner and its clients are demonstrating that hospitals can reduce emissions while optimizing their ability to withstand the effects of climate disruptions.
With the topping-out milestone now reached, Massachusetts General Hospital gets closer to delivering a world-class healthcare facility ready to meet the demands of an evolving climate.
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Massachusetts General Hospital Redevelopment Project Factsheet
Project Milestone
Turner Construction and Walsh Brothers Joint Venture have topped out Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston.
Project Overview
Scale: 1.9-million-square-foot healthcare facility
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Goal: Setting new standards in sustainable and resilient healthcare construction
Key Collaborator: Walsh Brothers (Joint Venture partner)
Sustainability Features
90% reduction in emissions compared to typical hospital designs
Aligned with Boston’s 2050 carbon emission reduction goals
Innovative exhaust-source heat pump system providing 20% of peak heating demand
Collaboration with BR+A on advanced mechanical engineering solutions
Massachusetts General Hospital Resilience Features
Climate-responsive systems including wind-resistant designs and flood barriers
96-hour autonomous operation capability during emergencies
Infrastructure designed to maintain uninterrupted patient care during extreme weather events
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