Building Better Together: The Power of Collaboration in Healthcare Design
- Communications Entuitive
- Aug 8
- 5 min read
Collaboration is more than a project strategy — it’s a core value that defines how we at Entuitive work, especially in the healthcare sector. As the structural, building envelope, and sustainability consultants on major healthcare projects across Canada, we know that designing and delivering these facilities demands a deeply integrated, team-first approach that puts patient outcome at the forefront of design and construction.
Healthcare buildings are among the most complex in the built environment. They house critical systems — mechanical, electrical, structural, envelope, and clinical — that must work in harmony to support patient care. The stakes are high, and the delivery models — Alliance, P3 (Public-Private Partnership), and modified Design-Build — require consultants to be agile, communicative, and deeply collaborative.
Why Collaboration Matters in Healthcare
Healthcare facilities often involve large investments from the public, meaning that design teams must deliver outcomes that are efficient, timely, and cost-effective. As such, collaboration across disciplines isn’t just beneficial, it’s fundamental to avoiding waste and ensuring long-term value.
“Healthcare design is all about the team,” says Sean Smith, Principal at Entuitive, who has worked on leading hospitals across the country, including Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, Westpark Healthcare Centre, and the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre. “You’re not just coordinating disciplines; you’re aligning values. Everyone, from architects to engineers to contractors, must be focused on delivering value that creates project success and ultimately a high-functioning healthcare facility.”
Entuitive is working on five collaborative projects in the acute care space right now, and regularly invests in collaborative training for our staff to be able to work in these environments.
In Alliance and P3 models, collaboration is baked into the process. These models emphasize shared risk, early contractor involvement, and integrated decision making. Modified Design-Build models also benefit from early engagement and open communication, allowing teams to optimize constructability and performance from day one. Entuitive is working on five collaborative projects in the acute care space right now, and regularly invests in collaborative training for our staff to be able to work in these environments.
Prince Albert Victoria Hospital: A Case Study in Collaborative Success
The expansion of Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, is a prime example of collaboration in action. The project, delivered under a fast-tracked schedule, involves a new acute care tower with expanded emergency services, diagnostic imaging, mental health, maternal care, and a heliport.
Amy Rohof, Associate and structural engineer at Entuitive, is leading the structural design. She reflects on the unique challenges and the collaborative spirit that has defined the project:
“This is a high-performing building in a remote location, and we’re working with partners across Canada. The complexity of the systems and the speed of delivery mean we have to be in constant communication. It’s been one of the most collaborative teams I’ve worked with.”
Amy highlights the importance of early contractor involvement, especially in fast-tracked healthcare projects.
“This is a high-performing building in a remote location, and we’re working with partners across Canada. The complexity of the systems and the speed of delivery mean we have to be in constant communication."
“Having the contractor and trades involved in decision making has allowed us to make informed decisions early. It’s helped us align structural strategies with construction realities, which is critical in a fast-tracked construction setting.”
Envelope Integration
In Vancouver, Entuitive’s building envelope team is contributing to several healthcare projects where climate resilience and energy performance are top priorities.
“Envelope design in healthcare isn’t just about keeping the weather out—it’s about controlling infection, managing thermal comfort, and supporting sustainability goals," says Mike Lembke, Principal and Discipline Lead for building envelope. "We work closely with mechanical and architectural teams to ensure our solutions enhance the overall performance of the building. This has moved to include energy but also operational and embodied carbon, with complex supply chain considerations always at play for one of the building’s most expensive systems.”
Mike notes that in P3 and Alliance models, envelope consultants are brought in earlier, which leads to better integration and fewer surprises during construction.
“When we’re part of the conversation from the start, we can help shape the building’s performance strategy. That’s where real value is created."
“When we’re part of the conversation from the start, we can help shape the building’s performance strategy. That’s where real value is created. We’ve seen both sides of the table – on New St. Paul’s Hospital we’re on the Compliance team, whereas on Royal Columbian Hospital Phase 2 we are delivering a state-of-the-art Emergency Patient Care Tower. This means our team always knows what collaboration looks like from the owner’s perspective.”
Sustainability and Performance: Ottawa Civic Hospital
Entuitive’s sustainability team is currently engaged in the design of the new Ottawa Hospital, one of the largest healthcare projects in Canada. The project is being delivered through a progressive model, with a strong emphasis on environmental performance and long-term resilience.
Sam Lane, Associate and Discipline Lead for Sustainability + Performance, shares how collaboration is key to achieving sustainability goals:
“Healthcare buildings represent a huge investment of both public funding and also carbon. To reduce their footprint, we need to work hand-in-hand with every discipline — structural, envelope, mechanical, electrical, and clinical planning. It’s not about checking boxes, it’s about designing systems that support healing and operational efficiency.”
"We’re actively leading integrated discussions every day. That’s the power of collaboration. It unlocks better decisions.”
Sam adds that collaboration helps drive innovation:
“We can’t sit back and follow a checklist. We’re actively leading integrated discussions every day. That’s the power of collaboration. It unlocks better decisions.”
Collaboration as a Culture
At Entuitive, collaboration isn’t just a project requirement, it’s a cultural commitment. We foster open communication, mutual respect, and shared accountability across all our teams. Whether we’re working on a remote hospital in Saskatchewan or on a major urban facility in Ottawa, we bring the same collaborative mindset to every challenge.
“The best healthcare projects are those where everyone feels ownership,” says Sean Smith. “When you have integrated design teams, owners, and contractors all pulling in the same direction, you get buildings that truly serve their communities.”
Entuitive has invested in the collaborative training and mentorship of our staff, so we show up with the right mindset on every acute care job.
Building Better Together
Healthcare design is complex, but collaboration simplifies the path to success. By embracing integrated delivery models and fostering a culture of teamwork, Entuitive helps create facilities that are resilient, efficient, and focused on what matters most: patient care.
As Amy Rohof puts it:
“With the right team, anything is possible.”
Contact us
Sam Lane
P.Eng. CPHD CEM LEED AP BD+C O+M
Associate, Discipline Lead: Sustainability + Performance
