Turner Construction Company is at the forefront of building healthcare facilities that prioritize resiliency, functionality, safety, and sustainability. The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Phillip and Susan Ragon Building in Boston exemplifies this commitment, integrating climate-responsive design to address the challenges posed by extreme weather and climate risks.
A Benchmark in Sustainable Healthcare Construction
This 1.9-million-square-foot redevelopment, a collaboration between Turner and Walsh Brothers, aligns with Boston’s 2050 carbon reduction goals while ensuring long-term operational resilience. Turner’s preconstruction team played a crucial role in introducing design strategies, evaluating costs, and implementing sustainable solutions.
Key Features of the Ragon Building
✅ Climate-responsive systems – Wind-resistant designs and flood barriers to mitigate extreme weather risks
✅ Resilient infrastructure – Designed to operate as a 96-hour island during emergencies, ensuring uninterrupted patient care
✅ Sustainability integration – 90% emissions reduction compared to baseline code buildings
Innovative Energy Solutions
Hospitals in cold climates like Boston face unique energy challenges, requiring large amounts of outside air to be warmed or dehumidified before entering the facility. To address this:
🔹 Turner and BR+A, the project’s mechanical engineer, implemented an exhaust-source heat pump to capture and reuse heat from the building’s warm exhaust air
🔹 This system covers 20% of peak heating load but delivers a 90% emissions reduction, as hospitals operate at part-load conditions for most of the year
🔹 The strategy focuses on optimizing energy efficiency without overdesigning for peak conditions, ensuring both environmental and financial benefits
Leading the Future of Sustainable Healthcare
Turner remains one of the few general contractors with expertise in implementing advanced energy-efficient systems in life sciences and healthcare projects. The company continues to apply these strategies to both new builds and retrofits.
“Sustainable healthcare design is about more than weatherproofing—it’s about creating high-performance, climate-resilient hospitals that lower emissions and prepare for the energy transition.”
— Peter Hamill, Turner’s Senior Vice Presidentenergy
With innovation and collaboration, projects like the Ragon Building set a new standard for sustainable healthcare facilities, paving the way for a climate-ready future.
