Healthcare Construction Embraces Climate-Resilient Design
Slice of Construction Team
Jun 12, 2025
Key highlights
- Resilient design is now a strategic imperative for healthcare infrastructure.
- Climate-specific strategies ensure facilities remain online during disasters.
- Energy efficiency and on-site power are advancing sustainability goals.
- Low-carbon building practices reduce embodied emissions by up to 75%.
- Innovative construction methods enable faster recovery post-disaster.
Notable Quote
“ Healthcare facilities aren't just buildings, they are lifelines. As financial pressures, regulatory demands, and sustainability goals converge, resilient infrastructure is no longer a nice-to-have. It is a strategic imperative for the future of healthcare. ”
Robert Meyer, healthcare strategist at DPR
Why This Matters
As billion-dollar climate disasters become more frequent, healthcare systems face mounting pressure to evolve. The ability to remain fully operational during and after extreme weather events is critical—not just for patient care, but for the resilience of entire communities.
DPR Construction’s Healthcare Insights report underscores that traditional recovery-based designs are no longer sufficient. Instead, healthcare leaders are embracing proactive strategies:
- Designing for specific climate risks based on regional data
- Investing in energy independence through renewables and storage
- Prioritizing low-carbon materials to align with ESG commitments
- Adopting prefabrication and modular methods for adaptability and speed
This shift reflects a broader transformation in healthcare facility construction—one that positions healthcare systems to withstand the impacts of climate change while delivering sustainable, high-value care. As Meyer notes, resilient design is now a cornerstone of strategic planning for the healthcare industry.
