Non-Acute Healthcare · Adaptive Reuse · Recently Completed Project
North York General Hospital Outpatient Services Centre
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
In 2018, G architects was engaged by North York General Hospital (NYGH) to transform a vacant warehouse into a fully operational outpatient services centre. As one of Toronto’s leading multi-site healthcare providers, NYGH sought to expand its reach by creating a satellite hub outside the main hospital campus that could provide accessible, patient-centered care within the community fabric. The goal was to deliver the same quality of care that NYGH is known for in an environment that felt approachable, inclusive, and supportive of the patient experience.
The design was guided by a strong emphasis on dignity and comfort. Barrier-free access, intuitive wayfinding, abundant natural daylight, and warm, home-like finishes were central to the concept.
Careful attention was given to reducing stigma and creating calming interiors that ease anxiety for patients and families, particularly those prone to stress or behavioral health challenges. The project highlights G architects’ ability to combine technical compliance with human-centered design, resulting in a facility that delivers clinical excellence while enhancing the overall experience of care.
Building on this successful partnership, G architects is also currently leading the hospital’s mammography expansion, further strengthening NYGH’s diagnostic capacity and commitment to patient-focused care.
CLIENT
North York General Hospital
VALUE
$6M
YEAR COMPLETE
2021
SCOPE
Adaptive Reuse
Outpatient Clinic Fit-Up and Interior Design
Patient-Centered and Barrier-Free Design
Community-Integrated Healthcare Planning
SIZE
21,000 ft²
PROJECT SCOPE
G architects served as Prime Consultant for the 21,000 square foot adaptive reuse, leading the fit-up of the warehouse into a modern outpatient centre. Key elements of the scope included:
Adaptive Reuse: Conversion of an industrial facility into a healthcare-grade clinical setting, aligning space planning and building systems with hospital requirements.
Patient-Centered Design: Interior finishes, furnishings, and material strategies were selected to create a bright, welcoming environment that supports comfort and inclusivity.
IPAC Compliance: Despite being located outside the main hospital, the project was designed and constructed to meet North York General’s infection prevention and control protocols.
Community Integration: Planning and design reinforced NYGH’s vision of embedding healthcare into the community fabric by creating a space that is both accessible and connected to its surrounding neighbourhood.
CHALLENGES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
One of the key challenges was ensuring that a facility located outside the hospital proper could achieve the same infection control standards and operational resilience as an in-campus clinical environment. G architects worked closely with NYGH’s redevelopment team, consultants, and contractors to embed strict IPAC protocols into both the design and construction process. This collaboration ensured compliance, minimized risk, and supported a smooth transition from construction to occupancy. Another challenge lay in balancing the technical demands of a healthcare facility with the hospital’s vision for a patient-first, community-integrated design. G architects achieved this by combining robust planning and coordination with an empathetic approach to interiors, producing an environment that feels less clinical and more welcoming, while still meeting CSA standards and hospital requirements.
The project has since proven the value of adaptive reuse as a strategy for healthcare expansion. The Outpatient Services Centre provides a high-functioning, fully compliant clinical setting within the community, allowing NYGH to increase capacity, improve accessibility, and extend its quality of care beyond the hospital campus. This project is now recognized as a model for flexible, cost-effective, and patient-centered healthcare delivery in urban settings.
