Architecture, art and advisory firm Svigals+Partners has broken ground for a new Ronald McDonald House facility, signaling the commencement of construction.

 

The innovative residence will replace an older one serving families facing the trying ordeal of accompanying a child for extended hospital stays and life-saving care at the Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital of New Haven, Conn.

 

The Svigals+Partners design is for a larger facility — with more privacy and improved amenities — than typical facilities operated by the client and owner, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Massachusetts (RMH-CTMA), allowing the charitable group to keep up with the hospital's expanding services. To be built in three phases, the new 'house' will triple the number of guest rooms available, and provide private baths for each. The design also introduces plentiful natural light, integrated artwork, water features and greenery to provide a welcoming supportive space for the families.

 

The May 11 ceremony on the project site saw New Haven Mayor Toni Harp, Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut Nancy Wyman, other state and local officials, and representative families in attendance. Svigals+Partners founder Barry Svigals, FAIA, also attended with firm partner Jay Brotman, AIA, and project manager and architect Ron Cooper, AIA.

 

The first phase of the project is expected to be complete in 2017.