In a heartwarming ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 28, current and former young patients connected to Children’s National Health System in Washington, D.C. joined leaders in breaking ground on the new pediatric research and innovation hub. Unique nationally, the freestanding complex will focus on pediatric medicine and research. As a key project partner, we are proud to collaborate with Elkus Manfredi and Suffolk Construction to evolve the historic site of former Walter Reed Army Medical Center Campus into a new chapter of meaningful service.

We are especially excited to expand our health and wellness design research at Children’s National. Each project is a new challenge, and with this 10+ acre brownfield site, we are merging our interests in stormwater management and resiliency with health and wellness. In doing so, we seek to create a place that redefines the research and development campus into one that looks and acts like a place that is working to make the planet and our bodies healthier and more regenerative.

The groundbreaking celebrated the official start of project construction. A highlight of the ceremony featured current and former patients representing Children’s National Rare Disease Institute planting shrubs on the site. The new plantings were cultivated in the Children’s National hospital’s Bunny Mellon Healing Garden. As a press release for the event noted, “The planting symbolizes the connection between the hospital location and the new campus, as well as a renewal for this historic site.”

The project design includes renovating four existing buildings on a nearly 12-acre portion of the campus. The campus encompasses a research and innovation building, an outpatient care center, which will include comprehensive primary care services for the community, and a conference theatre.