Ronald McDonald House Atlantic, in collaboration with Montgomery Sisam Architects and Lydon Lynch Architects, has developed an expanded facility named Ronald McDonald House Atlantic (RMHA), which is nearly double its original size.

The residence in Halifax responds to the trend toward longer treatment periods, while nurturing peace and wellness and creating a refuge from the hospital and the city. The result is an innovative residence that provides a ‘home away from home’ with a healing and welcoming environment.

The design draws inspiration from monastic architecture, featuring a central courtyard complete with a playhouse, barbecues, and a dining area that serves as the building’s primary organizing element. The courtyard is framed by a single-loaded corridor around which administrative offices and communal spaces, including a foyer, lounge, parlour, playroom, activity rooms, shared kitchen, and dining room, are arranged to maximize daylight and views.

The residential component is housed in a single four-storey block, with each floor accommodating eight bedrooms, each equipped with a private washroom. One larger suite per floor is designed for extended stays, and shared laundry and lounge areas support daily living.

RMHA is a Risk Hansen Accessibility Certified Gold project. Sustainability was another core principle. RMHA targets net zero carbon under the Zero Carbon Building Design V3 Energy Standard. It features a high-performance envelope, triple-glazed operable windows, and geothermal heating and cooling. Energy-efficient systems include vertical and horizontal water source heat pumps with integrated energy recovery ventilators.