Cool OC Organizes UCI Health Tour with CO Architects
Cool OC Organizes UCI Health Tour with CO Architects
5/16/26, 7:00 PM
UCI Health Tour - Nations First NetZero Hospital
Cool OC took more than 30 community members on an exclusive, behind‑the‑scenes tour of UCI Health – Irvine, the nation’s first all‑electric hospital. The visit on May 16, 2026, spotlighted how the new campus advances sustainability, climate resilience, and patient‑centered design.
We’re grateful to Jill Cheng, Associate Principal at CO Architects, for facilitating and co‑leading the tour with Ruju Rathod, Director of Sustainability.
What Attendees Learned:
The campus is designed as a gateway between the city and the protected San Joaquin Marsh—pairing high‑performance, electrified systems with restorative, biophilic spaces that prioritize daylight, views, and well‑being.
Program Highlights Include:
- A 144‑bed, approximately 350,000‑square‑foot acute care hospital with an emergency department, operating rooms, inpatient imaging, and support services.
- A roughly 220,000‑square‑foot ambulatory surgery center with outpatient surgery and procedure rooms, diagnostic and imaging services, oncology infusion, clinical exam rooms, a pharmacy, and support spaces.
Completion is noted as 2025 for the core campus elements. The project has already earned regional recognition, including a 2026 DBIA WPR Innovation Award.
On the Ground: Design with Nature in Mind
The tour began with a presentation by Cheng and Rathod covering the campus planning approach, energy‑efficient, all‑electric building systems, and the rationale behind key design choices. The group then explored interior and outdoor areas, seeing first‑hand how the design preserves view corridors to the San Joaquin Marsh and strengthens a sense of connection to the landscape.
Biophilic strategies were a consistent thread. Patient rooms and staff spaces are oriented to capture marsh views, supporting mental and physical well‑being. Participants discussed how these choices—along with electrification—reduce environmental impact while enhancing the care experience.
Community Momentum
Lively discussions throughout the visit focused on climate resilience, the future of healthcare infrastructure, and how thoughtfully designed public facilities can foster healthier, more sustainable communities. The strong turnout and engagement reflect rising local commitment to climate‑conscious development in Orange County.
We extend sincere thanks to our speakers, organizers, and attendees for advancing this conversation and celebrating a landmark in environmentally responsible healthcare.
Side Note: A Rare Local Resident—The Southwestern Pond Turtle
Just beyond the hospital, the San Joaquin Marsh and nearby open spaces support the Southwestern pond turtle (Actinemys pallida), the only freshwater turtle native to central and southern California and a California Species of Special Concern. The species has been proposed for federal “threatened” status due to habitat loss and competition from invasive species. In Irvine’s Shady Canyon, a small population benefits from Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s creative conservation work—floating basking platforms placed in the middle of a pond so turtles can sun safely away from predators as they prepare for winter brumation.
The turtles reside in the protected nature preserve directly behind the hospital, and the campus includes a low “turtle wall” along the edge of the preserve—an unobtrusive barrier designed to keep turtles from wandering onto hospital grounds while maintaining a clear connection to the surrounding wetlands.
Sources:
UCI Health – Irvine project scope, bed count, square footage, biophilic focus, completion timing, and award:
CO Architects https://coarchitects.com/projects/healthcare/uci-health-irvine-3/
.
Southwestern pond turtle status, local habitat, and conservation actions:
https://www.irconservancy.org/how-irc-is-helping-southwestern-pond-turtles-thrive-while-basking-in-safety/