The new physician-owned Foundation Surgical Hospital (FSH) is one of the first all-digital hospitals in operation in the country and the only one of its size at the time of its completion. The campus includes an adjoining parking garage, a professional office building with its own parking structure, and a central plant.

Devoted solely to patients with orthopedic and spine needs, the hospital contains 10 operating rooms, 64 generously sized private patient rooms (including 8 luxurious VIP suites), a state-of-the-art imaging center, and limited emergency care. Surgical areas include flexible pre-op spaces that can transform to recovery areas if needed.

FSH has been designed to enhance the patient experience through technology and its hotel-like environment. All patient information and data in the hospital are updated and transmitted electronically. Patient rooms have wood vinyl floors and vinyl wallcoverings. The main lobbies feature granite and marble flooring and wood-panel walls. Custom wall sconces and chandeliers are located throughout the building’s common areas. The VIP suites include upgraded finishes, granite/marble restrooms, and a separate sitting room with French doors for guests, to provide privacy for patients.


The HVAC system utilizes an energy-recovery system to increase the overall performance of the facility while significantly reducing operating costs. Because of the exceptionally narrow site, there were few options for locating the 700-ton central plant, other than at the front of the hospital. To make this structure more aesthetically pleasing, it was designed as a waterfall feature.

Project category: New construction (completed December 2005)

Chief administrator: Louisa Adelung, CEO, (713) 314-4444

Firm: PageSoutherlandPage, (713) 871-8484

Design team: Architect of Record, Medical Planning, and MEP Engineering (PageSoutherlandPage); Civil Engineering (Coburn, Linseisen, and Ratcliff, Inc.); Interior Design Lead (Interior Design Associates, Inc.); Interior Design (Carter Design Associates); Structural Engineering (Structural Affiliates International, Inc.)

Photography: © Mike McCormick

Total building area (sq. ft.): 130,000

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $201

Total construction cost (excluding land): $26,080,000