High-tech/high-touch solutions at UPMC Shadyside Hospital’s new Posner Tower make the latest in medical practice available for curing patients while still providing caring approaches for the human spirit.

The new 67,500-square-foot Posner Tower addition and renovation adds five new operating rooms: two for general surgery, two for minimally invasive procedures, and one for state-of-the-art angiography/neurologic specialty procedures. Features within this new surgery expansion include robotics and voice-controlled equipment and lighting, which help staff increase their focus on procedures.

Surgery teaching and collaboration are enhanced through video links to remote teaching and conference spaces. Support areas have been expanded, including sterile processing, anesthesia, and staff support areas. This expanded support program now easily handles the entire 21- operating-room suite, efficiently supporting surgical procedures.

A gateway entrance that connects all of the primary buildings on the campus provides a simple way to orient patients and visitors as they arrive at the 1.5 million-square-foot facility. Covered drop-off areas protect patients as they arrive and depart at the main lobby entrance. Also, covered walkways connect major patient service areas and physicians’ offices on the campus.

The Japanese healing garden provides a soothing environment when a family member needs some quiet time to restore the spirit and contemplate. The landscape provides a wonderful mix of rock features, plant life, a walking path, and benches to make a private and healing place work in a vibrant urban environment.

Project category: New construction & Remodel/Renovation (completed January 2003)

Chief administrator: Liz Concordia, Chief Executive Officer, (412) 623-2121

Firm: Burt Hill Kosar Rittelmann Associates, (724) 285-4761

Design team: Bruce C. Knepper, Principal-in-Charge; C. Wesley Wise, Project Architect; Natalie Marsili, Interior Designer; Charles H. Parker, AIA, Specification Author

Photography: Swensen Photography

Total building area (sq. ft.): 45,600 (new); 21,900 (renovation)

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $160 (new); $100 (renovation)

Total cost (excluding land): $7,300,000 (new); $2,200,000 (renovation)