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As a hospital ages, it faces mounting challenges: how to modernize facilities to accommodate new technologies, respond to evolving care delivery models, and create environments that continue to meet community expectations. While building a new, freestanding replacement hospital may seem like the most straightforward solution, space limitations, cost constraints, and the desire to maintain long-standing community connections mean that replacement is not always the preferred or even possible option.
This is where long-range master planning becomes critical. A carefully considered plan enables healthcare institutions to reinvest in its existing campus, make the best use of limited resources, and prioritize projects that deliver the greatest value over time. By balancing immediate needs with a long-term vision, master planning empowers health systems to remain competitive while maintaining deep roots in the communities they serve.
At Wilmot Sanz, we understand that campus revitalization is not just about adding square footage—it’s about creating a future-ready environment. From enhancing patient experiences and supporting staff workflows to improving circulation and integrating new technologies, our approach ensures that healthcare facilities evolve strategically and sustainably.
Many hospital campuses are landlocked or tightly woven into their neighborhoods. In these cases, creative planning and phasing strategies are essential. We help clients reimagine how their existing footprints can flex to accommodate growth, whether through vertical expansion, adaptive reuse of outdated facilities, or repositioning outdated buildings to maximize available land.
Master planning also provides an opportunity to refresh a hospital’s image. First impressions matter—patients and families often judge the quality of care by the physical environment. Thoughtful campus reinvestment can transform perceptions, establishing a modern, welcoming presence that reflects the organization’s commitment to excellence.
During the master planning process for Sibley Memorial Hospital, we worked closely with the highly engaged Advisory Neighborhood Commission and local community associations. By actively listening to their feedback, we ensured that Sibley’s modernization goals were achieved while respecting the urban design qualities that allow the campus to blend seamlessly into the surrounding neighborhoods. The result is a revitalized facility that serves its patients while strengthening community ties.
When Christiana Care chose to reinvest in its downtown Wilmington Hospital, the decision underscored the health system’s long-standing commitment to the community it has served for generations. Our team developed a plan that not only expanded and modernized the facility but also reimagined traffic flow and patient access. The addition of a highly visible new structure creates a stronger civic presence, symbolizing the hospital’s enduring role as a trusted community anchor while ensuring operational efficiency for decades to come.
Revitalization is about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about extending the life of a hospital campus so it can adapt to new standards of care, embrace emerging technologies, and continue to foster meaningful connections between caregivers and the community. Our deep expertise in healthcare architecture and planning allows us to steer institutions through this complex process, ensuring that investments made today will position them for success tomorrow.
By pairing visionary planning with practical design solutions, our firm guides systems to remain true to their missions—strengthening community trust while preparing for the future of healthcare delivery.
