Health systems today are investing in building and renovating healthcare facilities to better address community needs, expand services and grow revenue. Construction spending in the healthcare sector reached an estimated $58.8 billion in 2023 and is forecast to increase by 4.4% in 2024.
As construction of hospitals and healthcare facilities continues to increase, architects and designers are selecting construction materials that provide high energy performance, lower embodied carbon, design flexibility, exceptional durability, and ease of installation.
There are not many construction materials on the market that can meet all those requirements. Kingspan’s insulated metal panels meet these requirements and more, making them ideal for the construction of healthcare facilities.
High energy performance
High energy performance is key for energy intensive healthcare facilities. Healthcare buildings represent 4% of total commercial floorspace but account for approximately 9% of energy consumption in commercial buildings, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The energy performance and insulating properties of Kingspan’s insulated metal panels are two reasons why more and more healthcare facilities are clad with these panels. Offering high R-values of up to R-8.0 per inch and providing an air and watertight continuous insulation barrier, our insulated metal panels seal the building enclosure and help inhibit energy loss. This thermal efficiency makes them ideal in the construction of large-scale buildings like hospitals.
Building with ower embodied carbon in mind
Climate change is becoming a primary consideration in the design of healthcare buildings. Today, architects and designers are placing greater emphasis on minimizing the environmental impact of new healthcare building projects and renovations of healthcare facilities.
To help lower embodied carbon in the construction of healthcare facilities, architects and designers are selecting panels from Kingspan instead of concrete wall assemblies. The energy-efficient properties of Kingspan metal panels can help decrease carbon emissions and provide healthcare facilities with a pathway toward net zero energy for a high-performance building. Airtight, moisture-resistant with a rigid, continuous-insulation envelope, Kingspan’s panels offer a strong thermal performance that ultimately helps to lower greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency and reduce energy costs.
Design flexibility
When it comes to design, high performing building materials like Kingspan’s insulated metal panels can help healthcare facilities communicate brand image and identity.
Today, these panels come in a wide range of profiles and patterns, color options and finishes that can be customized to fit any project’s design aesthetic. They can also be installed vertically or horizontally for more design options. This offers flexibility for design professionals, allowing them to create a distinctive look that reflects a brand’s image and results in impactful designs that integrate with a location aesthetic.
Exceptional durability
Hospitals and healthcare facilities see a lot of foot traffic each day, making durable building materials essential. No matter where they are located, these buildings also need to stand up to changing weather conditions.
Constructed of durable steel and designed to last for decades, Kingspan panels can withstand inclement weather while remaining air and watertight. The durable design of these panels also allows them to remain looking great while standing up to the daily wear and tear of healthcare settings.
Low maintenance and easy to clean, these panels also feature tight-fitting interlocking joints that provide a high-quality air and vapor barrier.
Ease of installation
The speed of build advantage of Kingspan panels is another reason why they are selected as the building envelope solution for a wide range of projects in this sector.
As a single component system, these lightweight, modular panels require one type of installer, rather than multiple trades, which helps to accelerate speed of build, reduce on-site disruption, and create construction efficiencies.
Case in point
Architects selected Kingspan QuadCore Optimo panels in the expansion of the University of Cincinnati’s (UC) Medical Center.
As the region’s only Level I trauma center for adults, the UC Medical Center needed to expand its capacity to provide emergency care to the growing region.
More than 17,000 square feet of Kingspan’s QuadCore Optimo panels now provide thermal efficiency and energy efficiency, helping to reduce UC Medical Center energy consumption and costs. By creating air and watertight continuous insulation seals, these panels also help maintain safe and comfortable environments for patients, family members and staff.
Optimo insulated metal wall panels in pearlescent micas and metallic colors deliver an aesthetically appealing modern building envelope solution.
The quick installation of these panels also provided a weathertight envelope in reduced time, drying in the emergency room faster and allowing for inside work to begin sooner. The fast-tracked construction to prevent scheduling delays for on-time completion.
When it comes to constructing high performance facilities in the healthcare sector, Kingspan insulated metal panels are a great prescription for delivering energy efficient, design forward, and durable buildings.