The design of the new Cathedral Hill Hospital incorporates forward-thinking design concepts, seismic advancements, and sustainable features into one major urban development.

Going Green

CPMC is conscious of the environmental impacts of its facilities and is committed to making the new hospital green in both its construction and its operations. The hospital is currently registered as a project seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) status. New and innovative ideas are being introduced to make the hospital an environmentally responsible facility. The design team is currently exploring alternatives for reduced maintenance, lower noise levels, and increased energy savings.

Seismic System

The Cathedral Hill Hospital will comply with the most stringent requirements of California law so that it will remain operational after a strong earthquake. In order to meet these requirements, CPMC's structural engineers have chosen to use viscous wall dampers with a moment resisting frame.

Viscous wall dampers, using a technology similar to hydraulic shock absorbers in a car, have been used since the 1990s to protect buildings during an earthquake. The specific dampers chosen for the Cathedral Hill Hospital were developed in Japan and successfully used in that earthquake-prone country. The proposed seismic and structural design of the Cathedral Hill Hospital is currently under review by Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD).