The structures, which include an underground parking area, the Ruth Rappaport Children’s Hospital, the Joseph Fishman Oncology Center, a Cardio-vascular center, and a multi-purpose building for research, will all incorporate means to reduce energy usage, mostly of electricity. Toward this end, the hospital is adopting two standards, the US Leeds standard in the research tower, and the Israeli 5281 standard in the rest of the structures. These measures are reflected in the special types of glass, concrete, air conditioning systems, and other efficient technologies used in the construction.
 
The glass, for example, will filter out the sun’s rays, thus reducing the need for air conditioning during Israel’s long summer.  Water used in air conditioning systems will be recycled, and rainwater will be captured in large containers and used for gardening. All landscaping in the new areas will be based on water-saving desert flora, which requires little water. In addition, the Rambam management is now investigating the possibility of equipping all roofs with solar collectors.

The new facilities will encourage visitors to leave their cars at home. While Rambam is already situated on lines of public transportation, its new facilities will include guarded parking areas for bicycles.

According to Rambam’s Engineering Department Head Arie Berkowitz, the success – in both efficiency and economics – of this green design is virtually guaranteed. “We have an excellent planning team of 20 professionals, and our budgeting is sound: initial investments will be returned after only three years,” he says.
Berkowitz adds that green building is rapidly becoming a matter of law, and not simply of choice or lip service. “More and more, government regulations are demanding that new construction contribute to reduced global warming and air pollution. Rambam is proud to be at the forefront of these efforts.”