Rady Children’s Health broke ground in September on a new behavioral health building designed by HMC Architects in partnership with design-build contractor Hensel Phelps. The three-story, 93,000-square-foot facility in San Diego will expand access to care for children and adolescents while creating a welcoming environment for patients and families.

Projected to open in early 2029, the building will double inpatient capacity from 24 beds in shared rooms to 48 beds in private rooms and expand the crisis stabilization unit from six to 24 patient bays. New intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs will provide additional treatment options, helping Rady respond to growing demand for youth behavioral health services.

The design centers on the needs of young patients, with a treehouse-inspired motif and opportunities for fresh air, sunlight, play, and connection. A garden, murals, and shared gathering spaces will complement quieter areas where patients can find privacy and decompress. Safety features will be integrated discreetly to support a soothing environment that feels less institutional.

Connected to Rady’s main hospital, the building will bring inpatient care, crisis stabilization, and new outpatient programs together in a single purpose-built setting. The project reflects HMC’s commitment to designing environments that support dignity, well-being, and access to care.

The groundbreaking was recently featured in the San Diego Business Journal.