Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Arthur M. Blank Hospital (Brookhaven, Ga.) reimagines pediatric healthcare through an environment where leading-edge medicine, evidence-based design, and nature work together to promote healing. Located on a 70-acre campus, the 19-story, 2 million-square-foot, 446-bed hospital was thoughtfully planned to preserve more than 20 acres of green space, creating a park-like setting with gardens, walking trails, and expansive views that foster wellness for patients, families, and caregivers.
ESa served as Architect-of-Record and Interior Designer in partnership with Stantect as Associate Architect for Design. The ESa team collaborated on and completed all facets of the project design associated with the building’s exterior core and shell, Diagnostic and Treatment platform (levels 0-4), and led the design effort for the interior design of all spaces throughout the hospital. ESa coordinated and managed design development through all phases of the project, including concept validation, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and construction administration.
A defining aspect of the project was its rigorous evidence-based design process. Before construction, the design team transformed a 114,000-square-foot warehouse into one of the nation’s largest full-scale hospital simulation environments, where caregivers, clinicians, and stakeholders tested room layouts, workflows, and operational scenarios. The process informed key design decisions, improved patient safety and staff efficiency, and helped avoid an estimated $90 million in potential construction changes.
The hospital also advances pediatric research and innovation through specialized facilities, including Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) laboratories for cell and gene therapies, simulation and training spaces, advanced cardiovascular services, and 3D printing capabilities. Achieving LEED Silver, energy efficiency and sustainability are incorporated at every turn. Children’s is the first LEED v4/4.1 Healthcare project certified at any level in Georgia and is the largest LEED for Healthcare project in the world. The project demonstrates a lasting commitment to sustainability while creating a world-class destination for pediatric care that will serve children and families for generations.
Firm: ESa
Design Team: ESa (architect-of-record and interior designer); Stantec (associate architect for design); Brasfield & Gorrie, L.L.C. (general contractor/hospital); JE Dunn (general contractor/medical office building, south tower); WSP (MEP engineering); Walter P Moore (structural engineering); Lowe Engineers (civil engineer); Mazzetti+GBA (medical equipment planning)
Completed: September 2024
