Project Photos
As part of the Plenary PCL Health Consortium, B+H, in association with Arcadis, is leading the design of the QEII Halifax Infirmary Expansion. The largest healthcare infrastructure project ever undertaken in Atlantic Canada, the expansion will strengthen the QEII’s role as a leading multi-campus teaching and research institution while transforming the delivery of care for communities across Nova Scotia.
Conceived as both a highly technical clinical environment and an important civic building, the expansion is designed to serve patients, families, clinicians, and the broader community for generations. Its architecture draws from Nova Scotia’s Atlantic coastline, including weathered rock formations, shifting light, and the reflective qualities of water. These influences shape a layered façade with varied depth, texture, and tonal variation that changes throughout the day.
At more than 1.6 million square feet, the building required a careful approach to scale. Rhythmic façade articulation breaks down its length and height, balancing the presence of a major public institution with a welcoming, human-scaled experience. The massing responds to the evolving Robie Street corridor while establishing a new orientation toward Bell Road, supporting future phases of development and the long-term growth of the healthcare campus.
Clarity is embedded throughout the design. Distinct entrances, visible landmarks, and intuitive circulation help patients and families understand where to go from the moment they arrive. The Emergency Department has a clear identity and direct access, while the public arrival sequence establishes a welcoming and recognizable front door. Together with the wayfinding strategy, these architectural cues help reduce uncertainty and stress when clarity matters most.
Daylight, long views, and connections to nature are integral to the experience of the building. Green roofs, landscaped terraces, and outdoor spaces provide opportunities for respite within the dense urban campus, while views across Halifax connect patients, visitors, and staff to the city beyond.
B+H is also responsible for the design of critical clinical environments, including the Operating Rooms, Emergency Department, and Medical Device Reprocessing Department. Standardized spaces, adaptable planning, and capacity for future technologies support evolving models of care. The new facility is also carefully integrated with the existing hospital to maintain ongoing operations and continuity across the campus.
Together, these elements create a healthcare environment designed for operational resilience, future adaptability, and a more intuitive and welcoming patient experience, while establishing a new civic presence for Halifax.