July 11, 2025 08:31 AM -
SUN PRAIRIE, WI – SSM Health believes that designing sustainable facilities focused on supporting the health and wellness of staff, patients and visitors is a meaningful investment in the future. This belief is on full display as the SSM Health Sun Prairie Outpatient Center enters the final phases of construction.
This latest project showcases SSM Health’s long-standing commitment to healthy, sustainable design across every element of the facility from the parking areas to staff workstations and beyond. Some of the key elements include:
- One of the region’s largest carport solar arrays: More than 1,900 solar panels cover and protect the facility’s parking lots. The array will help offset nearly half of the building’s annual electrical energy needs.
- Direct proximity and access to mass transit, local bike path network: The facility is across the street from a mass transit stop, is part of the area’s bike trail network and includes onsite bicycle storage.
- Intentional inclusion and use of reclaimed wood from historic walnut trees removed from the construction site: Wood milled from trees that were removed during construction will be used to create a bench in the lobby, as well as a history display that will be located on the building’s second floor.
- Site reforestation project planned: SSM Health is partnering with Wudeward Urban Forest Products to replant new trees in place of trees previously removed from the site; the planting is scheduled for this fall after the facility opens.
- WELL GOLD Certification measures used for design, construction and future operations: The Sun Prairie Outpatient Center will be the third SSM Health facility in Wisconsin to seek WELL GOLD Certification from the International WELL Building Institute (wellcertified.com). Certification uses 60 separate measures focused on sustainable design and operational performance to certify that a building offers a healthy environment for staff, patients and visitors. Standards include set performance metrics for healthy air, water quality, access to nourishing foods, ease of movement, thermal comfort, promotion of healthy minds, community access, and more.
- Landscaping includes sustainability focus: Native plants and grasses have been planted around the site’s perimeter. This sustainable landscape design will support native species and provide a pollinator pathway for bees and birds.
The 90,000-square-foot center will provide outpatient surgical care and comprehensive eye care services. The center opens for patient care in September.
