Hospital Reconstruction: Three Architectural Firms Shortlisted

An important milestone in the Irénée de Bruyn Hospital reconstruction project was reached on Wednesday, June 10. The “project management” jury met to select three architectural firms from among numerous applicants. These firms now have six months to submit their preliminary designs for the future facility along with their financial proposals.

“We received fifteen high-quality applications,” explains hospital director Éric Djamakorzian. “They were reviewed by a project management assistant, who presented them to the jury members.” ” To select three candidates, the jury reviewed the content of each proposal, particularly to identify those that met all the requirements necessary to successfully carry out such a project.

The “project management” jury was composed of the following individuals: Xavier Lédée, president of the territorial council; Marie-Angèle Aubin and Alexandra Questel, vice-presidents; Éric Djamakorzian; Dr. Souied, president of the hospital’s medical committee; Marie Allard, senior healthcare executive at the hospital; Mr. Pécard, architect; Mr. Loustalot, engineer at the Regional Health Agency; and Mr. Maurel, architect. One notable absence from this jury was that of the chair of the hospital’s supervisory board, who is also first vice-president of the Territorial Collectivity, Marie-Hélène Bernier. Her exclusion was surprising given her role as chair of the supervisory board, but far less so in her capacity as first vice-president of the Territorial Collectivity. In constant opposition to his former ally since their political split in late 2023, Xavier Lédée thus confirms his determination to sideline Marie-Hélène Bernier from healthcare matters. Among other things. “Since 2022, I have always supported and defended the hospital’s interests in the performance of my duties,” states Marie-Hélène Bernier. “I therefore find it difficult to understand why the Chair of the Supervisory Board is being excluded from such an important project without prior notice or any legal basis brought to her attention.” An advocate for building a new hospital in Saint-Jean rather than in Gustavia, the elected official and her running mates from the Action-Équilibre group are at odds with the president, since he has ruled out the possibility of relocating to Saint-Jean in favor of the current site, a decision supported by a slim majority of territorial councilors. Another point of contention between the two elected officials. Especially since the Action-Équilibre group continues to protest and has launched a petition among the public to gain popular support for demanding a re-examination of the construction project in Saint-Jean. The matter is therefore far from settled.

In any case, for the three architectural firms selected by the jury members, the next step will take place this coming December with the presentation of their preliminary designs. The task will then be to select a single, definitive project.