Silverman Hall Renovation
State-of-the-art teaching labs and realistic clinical environments prepare students for the demands of modern healthcare.SUNY Upstate Medical University's College of Health Professions has a new cutting-edge teaching space that will shape the future of patient care after the transformation of the 29,000 square foot Silverman Hall. The project's goal was to create a state-of-the-art teaching hub tailored to the needs of in-demand healthcare professions. Critical to the success of the project was the creation of dynamic, realistic simulation spaces that bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world clinical scenarios.
Client
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Location
Syracuse, New York
Services
Architecture, Interior Design, Building Envelope, Deep Energy Retrofit, Historic Preservation, and Feasibility Study
Size
29,000 sq ft
“We've always had an outstanding curriculum; now we have an environment to match.”
Katherine Beissner, PT, PhD, Dean of College of Health Professions
Designed for Modern Healthcare EducationThe renovation gutted the building, removing walls, installing new windows, and upgrading mechanical systems to create an open, modern learning environment tailored to the needs of today's healthcare professions. Flexible teaching spaces, improved circulation, and thoughtfully integrated design elements support collaboration while creating an environment that reflects the College of Health Professions' commitment to excellence.
A centerpiece of the renovation is the four-bed ICU teaching lab. Equipped with headwalls, monitors, and medical manikins, the lab allows faculty to observe students in real time from a two-way mirrored control room while cameras record interactions for later review. The space enables faculty to translate classroom principles into realistic clinical scenarios that strengthen critical thinking and hands-on learning.
Honoring History While Improving PerformanceOriginally constructed in 1928 as the first purpose-built hospital for the City of Syracuse, the renovation honors the region's history of excellence in medicine while preparing the building for the future. With retention of the historic façade an essential component of the project, an interior approach to retrofit of the envelope was required. Modeling the thermal and moisture transfer through the exterior envelope, we explored various combinations of air barriers - with and without insulation. Analysis indicated any additive intervention to the existing wall decreased drying of the assembly and increased risk for damage resulting from freeze-thaw. Analyzing the inherent characteristics of the existing building fabric we discovered an effective air barrier was achievable through rehabilitation of the existing materials. Existing plasterwork was patched and repaired to function as a continuous membrane. Coupled with a full exterior masonry repointing and restoration, we effectively created a continuous air barrier. Installation of historically appropriate, thermally broken glazing assemblies completed the envelope. Supported by new LED lighting throughout the building and high-efficiency MEP systems, the project was able to achieve an EUI of 67, five points lower than the design target of 72.