A new specialized care facility for children with complex health needs is set to open in East Vancouver in early 2028, marking the first of its kind in Canada. The BC Children’s Hospital Centre for Health Complexity, a four-storey, 166,000-square-foot building, is under construction at East 21st Avenue and Slocan Street, near Renfrew Community Park. The project broke ground in April 2025 and is led by design-build partner Ledcor, with Diamond Schmitt Architects overseeing the architectural design and Connect Landscape Architecture managing the site’s physical terrain.

The centre is designed to serve children and youth up to 19 years old who have complex health conditions requiring around-the-clock care, often involving multiple body systems and extensive social support. Although such children represent less than 1 percent of the pediatric population, they account for up to one-third of provincial child health spending and more than half of pediatric hospitalizations in British Columbia. Addressing this disproportionate impact, the facility aims to bridge gaps in healthcare and social services through coordinated care, family counseling, peer support, and other resources.

Juan Martinez, senior director of major capital projects at the Provincial Health Services Authority, emphasized the importance of providing a facility tailored to this underserved population. He noted that the centre will support families and children across the province, including those in remote areas who may benefit from integrated virtual health services alongside in-person care.

The building’s design prioritizes a welcoming, non-clinical environment, incorporating exposed wood and mass timber to create warmth and reduce stress—an approach supported by recent research linking natural materials to improved patient well-being. These materials also contribute to lowering the building’s embodied carbon footprint. Duncan Bates, a senior associate at Diamond Schmitt Architects, described the facility’s design as a departure from traditional hospital aesthetics, aimed at enhancing user experience. Adjacent to the centre, a 74-space daycare is being developed to serve the broader community.

A distinctive architectural feature is the “treehouse,” a gathering space atop a gently sloped, accessible ramp spiraling around the central atrium, designed to encourage spontaneous interaction and discovery among patients and families.

The $309.9-million project received significant funding support, including $60 million from the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and a $3 million contribution from Ledcor.

Caregiver input has played a central role in shaping the centre’s design and programming. Todd Shelley, whose son Evan has complex epilepsy and other conditions requiring continuous one-on-one care, is a member of the family advisory committee. Shelley highlighted the importance of stable routines for children with medical complexity and praised the centre’s efforts to incorporate caregiver perspectives, including testing room layouts and furnishing details through mockups.

The facility will feature 16 patient suites with two rooms each and shared ensuites, offering accommodations more akin to upscale hotel suites than traditional hospital rooms, which caregivers say is crucial for rest and comfort. Additional amenities include a teaching kitchen for caregivers, a First Nations room, and several indoor and outdoor terraces with views of the North Shore Mountains. The building is targeting LEED Gold certification to ensure sustainability, energy efficiency, and healthy indoor environments.

Overall, the BC Children’s Hospital Centre for Health Complexity aims to deliver coordinated, comprehensive care to an underserved pediatric population, combining in-person and virtual services to support families throughout British Columbia.