By HFT Staff

The Pavilion at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania boasts 17 stories, 504 private patient rooms and 47 operating rooms, Penn Medicine opened its doors in late 2021 and has quickly become a national “beacon of hope” for patients and their families. 

Unsurprisingly, the Pavilion required extensive planning. The PennFIRST team was assembled in 2017 to complete the project, consisting of University of Pennsylvania executives, architects, designers, and a general contractor. Wilsonart representatives collaborated with PennFIRST team members throughout the endeavor. As members of the Integrated Project Delivery team, Wilsonart representatives and experienced healthcare interior designers with HDR played a critical role in designing the hospital to ensure that every surface elevated the vision of several stakeholders. 

The Challenge 

Delays from the COVID-19 pandemic and the sheer project size were both obstacles in completing the Pavilion. The Pavilion also evolved in scale and architectural complexity as the project progressed. An updated timeline was developed once construction resumed in 2020, and crews worked diligently to finalize the massive undertaking before the grand opening on October 30th, 2021. 

The Surfaces 

Wilsonart surfaces were installed to complete the Pavilion, and Wilsonart Solid Surface led the way. More than 10,000 sheets of Solid Surface, equivalent to 300,000 square feet, can be found in patient rooms and staff areas, and on furniture. Using Solid Surface directly on furniture was a manufacturing feat that allows for cohesive styling throughout the hospital. Custom Wilsonart Solid Surface designs were placed on patient room headwalls and more than 1,300 Solid Surface sinks were installed for daily use. 

Over 1,500 Wilsonart Laminate sheets completed the coordinated effort and were used as the standard casework finish. Any hospital requires sufficient cabinetry for storage, but the needs of the Pavilion are far beyond that of a traditional hospital. Wilsonart Laminate provides a stunning result that can be installed extensively at a reasonable price point. 

For a clean, contemporary look, Wilsonart Solid Surface in Designer White (D354SL) was used for countertops and wall protection/wainscoting in corridors, desks, and showers. The custom headwalls and handwashing counters in patient rooms were made possible with Iceland Fog (9907SS) and Hamilton (9906SS), respectively. Frosty White Mirage (1573MG) was the perfect solution for countertops in staff areas. 

The Result 

Penn Pavilion is a medical and architectural marvel on par with the most renowned hospitals in the world. The facility is also the largest capital project completed by the University of Pennsylvania. After years of meticulous planning and concepting, the Pavilion is widely considered the synthesis of unparalleled care and thoughtful design. 

As the second largest hospital in the United States, the Pavilion is equipped with sizable, dedicated teams and the capacity to welcome families from across the globe. Penn Pavilion is also the largest hospital in the country to achieve LEED Gold certification, thanks to the use of innovative materials and conscious craftsmanship.