Columbia St. Mary’s is a 9-storey, 700,000 sq. ft. hospital that includes 312 patient beds, expansive windows, and an atrium which showcases panoramic views of Lake Michigan, the historic Water Tower, and the downtown skyline. There are two roof-top gardens, one located on the fifth floor which overlooks North Avenue, and another located on the roof of the atrium. These gardens are not only aesthetically pleasing for patients and visitors, they help to absorb rainwater and relieve pressure from the city’s drainage system during storms. Other sustainable features include a rain screen exterior wall system to reduce energy costs and provide a water barrier, computerized lighting system that allows patients to customize their environment, noise reduction ceiling tiles, and motion sensors that turn off lights when non-patient areas are not being used.