The modular nature of the design permits any specialty to provide services in any patient room. The rooms house standardized equipment; additional medical supplies are brought in if specialty treatment is required. The modular grid extends to office areas, permitting Group Health to convert these spaces to patient rooms in the future in order to accommodate an increase in patient population.

The new medical center’s prominent location in Bellevue’s burgeoning medical district posed an opportunity to showcase Group Health. Inspired by the region’s natural surroundings, planners coined the term "Northwest Elegance" to describe the design theme. Tree-like wood trusses support a canopy on the building’s façade, echoing the area’s forests.

Recognizing that a connection to the natural environment can have a positive impact on healing and recovery time, the Group Health Bellevue Medical Center connects visitors to the natural environment through large expanses of glass and extensive use of sustainable wood products on its interior.

As landscaping matures over time, green views will be available from throughout the building and the landscaping will become an urban oasis for birds who had abandoned the original paved urban site, formerly a parking lot. The added landscaping and water features contribute to a healing environment for patients visiting the facility. Other sustainable features include the use of low-VOC paints, a reflective white roof membrane, advanced commissioning, and provisions for alternate forms of transportation.

The project team worked diligently to design a building that presented a small energy footprint and then worked to meet that energy need with highly efficient HVAC systems. The design exceeded the Washington State Energy Code, which is more stringent than ASHRAE 90.1.

Utilizing approaches such as condensing boilers and hot water heaters, variable primary pumping for hot water and chilled water systems, and premium-efficiency chillers, the building is designed to provide a 38% reduction in energy use compared to the energy code requirement.

Project details:


Name: Group Health Bellevue Medical Center

Size:      200,000 square feet
Number of stories:      Four
Construction cost: $ 81,477,000

Project team:   
Architecture:    NAC|Architecture in association with Ellerbe Becket, an AECOM Company
Client Representative:    CB Richard Ellis
Structural Engineer:      KPFF
Mechanical Engineer:      AEI
Electrical Engineer:      AEI
Civil Engineer:      Coughlin Porter Lundeen
Landscape Architect:      Murase Associates
General Contractor:      M.A. Mortenson

Date construction started:      November 2005
Date construction was completed:      July 2008