A Man and His Mentor

Brian Hardner works with renowned architect while designing a ‘green’ hospital

Pride in his work

Brian Hardner, vice president of facilities and construction, spearheaded “green” construction, including the abundance of natural light in areas like the Kasych Family Pavilion’s glass-enclosed staircases.

While reading a textbook in a Temple University classroom, student Brian Hardner learned about “one of the most influential architects of the 20th century.” His name: Robert Venturi, a Philadelphian who has influenced architects worldwide for nearly 50 years.

Years later, sitting in a conference room, Hardner was “star-struck” when Venturi entered the room. Their meeting was not by chance. Venturi and Hardner would collaborate to design and build the new LVH–Muhlenberg.

“I learned so much from him,” says Hardner, our vice president of facilities and construction. “He pays attention to every detail, listens to his clients and designs a building influenced by the people who will occupy it.”

Hardner and his facilities and construction team used Venturi’s knowledge and guidance to create a beautiful and functional LVH–Muhlenberg. Then they faced the next challenge: designing and building two environmentally friendly buildings (the Kasych Family Pavilion and the Center for Advanced Health Care) at LVH–Cedar Crest. “Building a green hospital isn’t easy because of the strict health and safety standards we must meet,” Hardner says.

His team met the challenge. Recently both buildings received certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the national benchmark for green buildings.

Among the environmentally friendly features:

• The majority of materials were purchased from companies within 500 miles of LVH–Cedar Crest to reduce gasoline usage and pollution.
• Recycled and recyclable materials are used wherever possible. For example, when our wallpaper needs to be replaced, it can be recycled to create new wallpaper.
• Roofing materials reflect sunlight, making it easier to cool the buildings.
• Heating and cooling systems are energy-efficient.
• Unoccupied areas (like storage closets and medication rooms) have motion sensors that turn lights on and off when someone enters and leaves.
• Large windows provide abundant natural light to boost morale for colleagues, patients and visitors.

While Hardner is proud of our green accomplishments, he believes what happens inside the buildings every day is what makes them unique. “We excavate and put up steel and walls, but the work our colleagues do throughout the network amazes me most,” he says. And the ability to work with an internationally renowned architect like Robert Venturi: “That’s pretty amazing.”

—Rick Martuscelli

ARTICLE TOOLS: