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December 2018 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \ 47 vices and Centura Health, the project broke ground Oct. 18 and will provide a forward-thinking multidisciplinary academic environment for both undergraduate and grad- uate students. Penrose-St. Francis will operate a variety of clinics to provide whole-person care. The Hybl Center will also be the home to three centers of distinction: 1. The Center for Tactical and Occupational Performance will provide a range of programs for military, police, fire, rescue and other first responders, along with other civil- ian occupations with similar physical demands. 2. The Center for Athletes and Active Individuals with Physical Disabilities will support testing and performance services that are adapted to the special needs of athletes including elite wounded warriors and para-athletes, and other athletes and active individuals with physical chal- lenges. 3. The Center for Health and Performance in Extreme Environments will address the demands of elite athletes, military service members, and recreationalists face in envi- ronmental extremes. • St. Francis Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – trans- forming NICU care. The new NICU at St. Francis Medical Cen- ter is the first phase of construction for the four-story ex- pansion to serve the growing population on the city’s north side. The NICU opened in September, and the remainder of the expansion is scheduled for completion in early 2019. After years of research and collaboration with Penrose- St. Francis, the design team crafted the NICU in the Fam- ily Integrated Care model, which encourages greater par- ent involvement in premature infant’s care. Traditionally, infants are separated from their parents, but studies show that this often has a negative impact on the well-being of both the parents and the infants. With this newmodel, par- ents are encouraged to be essential members of the health care team. In each private patient room, advanced room lighting supports and stimulates babies’ circadian rhythms to pro- mote growth and accelerate babies’ release to go home. Increased space was designed to care for multiples (twins, triplets, etc.) in the same room, easing family visits. A NICU family lounge and wellness garden were created to provide respite and to allow families to connect with and support each other. A family predischarge room closely models the experience of home and provides a place for nursing staff to support parents preparing to transition out of the hos- pital. • Chinook Trail Middle School – designed to the WELL Building Stan- dard. In 2016, a $230 million bond was passed in Academy School District 20, the largest district on the north side of Colorado Springs. Chinook Trail Middle School is the largest project in the bond, with the 125,000-square-foot campus being constructed to open for the 2019-2020 school year for 1,000 students. Although not pursing certification, Chinook Trail Mid- dle School is being designed to the WELL Building Stan- dard, which provides a model for design and construction to holistically integrate health features throughout built en- vironment. Unlike LEED, which focuses strictly on the sustain- ability of the building, the WELL Building Standard considers the occupants’ health and well-being with regards to the quality of air, wa- ter, nourishment, light, fitness oppor- tunities and comfort. Colorado Springs is projected to per- haps become the most populous city in Colorado, surpassing Denver by 2050 ac- cording to the State Demography Office. As the Springs grows, it is also beginning to de- fine itself as an innovative city focused on the well-being of its citizens. The future of Colora- do Springs is promising, and its architects are designing innovative, wellness-focused build- ings that support the city’s growing reputation as a dynamic, beautiful, healthy place to live. \\ stuart@rtaarchitects.com ELEMENTS Wellness The design teamand project partners of the Pikes Peak Summit Complex are pursuing Living Building Challenge certification, which would make the new Summit Complex one of the most innovative and environmentally sensitive facilities in Colorado at analtitude of 14,000 feet. Courtesy RTAArchitects andGWWO Inc./Architects The UCCS William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center will integrate undergraduate and graduate academics and clinical services into a world-class sports medicine and performance training destination. Courtesy RTA Architects and HOK