The realization of this two-story-plus-basement expansion and renovation project created a modern, yet comforting, healthcare environment for members of the community and the hospital staff. Expanding this 1960s facility brings the latest technology, programming, and evidence-based design elements to a growing community hospital and its diverse population.

A sweeping drop-off canopy defines the new hospital entrance, leading visitors into the two-story, open atrium. Design elements include organic forms and natural materials. Visitors are greeted by a warm and welcoming lobby and community space that connects the hospital’s outpatient and inpatient services and care areas. Once in the atrium, the public has direct access to admitting, family waiting areas, a new retail pharmacy, a café, and a gift shop, with no compromise of patient privacy.

St. Joseph Hospital’s Centers of Excellence are now easily accessible on two floors. The first-floor addition houses new Cardiovascular and Oncology Centers. Significant renovations on the first floor have offered improved efficiency to the Diagnostic Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, Breast Health, and Phlebotomy departments. A new Fast-Track Emergency Department has been incorporated into the new program. The second floor is now home to the Surgi-Center and Endoscopy Suite. Several support service departments and new mechanical and electrical systems are now located in the new basement.

Project category: New construction & Remodel/Renovation (completed June 2006)

Chief administrator: Peter B. Davis, President & CEO, (603) 882-3000

Firm: Lavallee Brensinger Architects, (603) 622-5450

Design team: Barry Brensinger, AIA, CEO, Principal-in-Charge; Richard Pizzi, AIA, Associate, Project Manager (Lavallee Brensinger Architects); Scott LeClair, PE, MEP Principal-in-Charge (Fitzemeyer & Tocci Associates, Inc.); Jerry Yurkoski, PE, Structural Principal-in-Charge (Souza True and Partners); Austin Turner, PE, Civil Principal-in-Charge (Tetra Tech Rizzo); Susanne Smith Meyer, Landscape Architect (Susanne Smith Meyer Landscape Architect)

Photography: © Joseph St. Pierre Photography

Total building area (sq. ft.): 83,000 (new); 20,000 (renovation)

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $171 (new); $130 (renovation)

Total construction cost (excluding land): $14,200,000 (new); $2,600,000 (renovation)


In addition to critical clinical upgrades, a new freestanding, two-level parking garage and new traffic patterns were added, separating emergency traffic from that of visitors and outpatients.