UCI Health Unveils All-Electric, State-of-the-Art Hospital

New Irvine facility features advanced services and sustainability-focused design.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 12:00am

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UCI Health has opened a brand-new, seven-story acute inpatient hospital in Irvine, California, featuring 350,000 square feet, 177 beds, and specialty services in areas like cancer, cardiology, and neurology. The facility is entirely electric, with no natural gas used on-site, marking a rare accomplishment in healthcare construction.

Why it matters

The all-electric design of the new UCI Health-Irvine hospital represents a significant step forward in sustainable healthcare facilities. By eliminating the use of natural gas, the hospital can reduce its carbon footprint and energy consumption, aligning with growing calls for more environmentally-friendly medical centers. This project also showcases how facilities teams can play a pivotal role in driving innovation in hospital construction and operations.

The details

The new UCI Health-Irvine hospital is powered entirely by electricity, with electric chillers, pumps, and other equipment replacing traditional natural gas-powered systems. This all-electric approach was advocated for early on by Joe Brothman, the director of facilities and general services, who was a strong proponent of sustainability. The hospital also features a 'surgery megafloor' with 22 operating rooms spanning multiple football fields in size.

  • UCI Health-Irvine opened in December 2025.
  • The planning process for the all-electric design began several years prior to the hospital's opening.

The players

Joe Brothman

The director of facilities and general services at UCI Health, who was an early advocate for the all-electric design of the new Irvine hospital.

UCI Health

The healthcare system that operates the new all-electric hospital in Irvine, California, as well as other facilities on the UC Irvine campus.

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What they’re saying

“I'm very grateful for our leadership team to let us roll with this, and I can't give them enough kudos, as well as our construction leads, to the beautiful place that we have.”

— Joe Brothman, Director of Facilities and General Services, UCI Health

“It's an absolutely beautiful site. I compare it to a five-star hotel in terms of experience, and I'm grateful to be part of it.”

— Joe Brothman, Director of Facilities and General Services, UCI Health

What’s next

UCI Health plans to continue exploring sustainable design and operations strategies across its entire healthcare system, building on the success of the all-electric Irvine hospital.

The takeaway

The new UCI Health-Irvine hospital represents a pioneering achievement in sustainable healthcare facility design, showcasing how facilities teams can drive innovation and reduce environmental impact through all-electric infrastructure. This project sets a new standard for the future of hospital construction.