DESIGNWORKS 2025

Cape Fear Valley Medical Center Vertical Expansion

Fayetteville, NC

Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, Inc.

Cape Fear Valley Medical Center’s Vertical Expansion answers an urgent regional need for increased inpatient capacity with an innovative and highly efficient solution. The $110 million project adds 94 new beds atop the existing Valley Pavilion, creating two new patient floors and introducing dual rooftop helipads, an essential feature for trauma and emergency response in Fayetteville, NC.

By building vertically instead of outward, the design team preserved valuable green space, minimized disruption, and dramatically reduced the project’s carbon footprint. Prefabricated, multi-trade racks and modular elements supported a more sustainable construction approach, reducing site waste and speeding up delivery while maintaining hospital operations.

This patient-centered environment prioritizes natural light, acoustics, and safety. Patient rooms were reimagined with a 280% increase in window size, enhanced views, higher ceilings, and dedicated zones for family and staff. The universal room layout provides long-term flexibility and operational consistency. Interior spaces reflect a calming palette and intuitive wayfinding, reinforcing a healing atmosphere.

The expansion also places caregiver well-being front and center with designated respite spaces and thoughtfully planned staff work zones, supporting care teams in a high-stress setting. The new helipad fire suppression system is the first of its kind in the U.S., replacing harmful foams with a safer alternative, underscoring the project’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

Completed in November 2024, this expansion is not just a building; it’s a forward-thinking model of inpatient care and a catalyst for continual progress at Cape Fear Valley Health.