ABSTRACT
This chapter explores a new small hospital project and how it incorporated principles of energy conservation, environmental sustainability, and economic viability. The 206,000-square-foot Replacement Weed Army Community Hospital (WACH) is a proof of concept for high-performance healthcare buildings in remote settings. The purpose of the WACH project was to replace an aging facility with a state-of-the-art hospital with surgical care near a high-intensity military training environment. Energy conservation measures of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems were the most impactful aspect of the hospital design strategy. The renewable generation combined with conservation measures allowed the new hospital design to achieve both net-zero and carbon-neutral performance. Healthcare systems can and should set the example of how to responsibly use environmental resources. Energy modeling techniques, life-cycle cost analysis, and the integration of renewable energies and passive design strategies are all vital to obtain the goals of energy conservation, environmental sustainability, and economic viability.
