The phenomenal growth in North Alabama led to an increased need for hospital beds and clinical space at Huntsville Hospital. In addition, the number of orthopedic surgeries is increasing and as a result, the need for additional operating facilities is as well. To address these issues, the Hospital enlisted a design team led by Chapman Sisson Architects to design a new, free-standing eight-story tower.

The new Orthopedic & Spine Tower is attached to the main hospital via a pedestrian bridge, allowing efficient travel of medical staff to move from one portion of the campus to another. The new tower consists of 24 additional operating rooms, three bed floors housing 72 overnight patients, and two floors of shell space for future growth. The building is designed to be sensitive to the streetscape by including retail space along Gallatin Street and a long glass-lined public lobby along Sivley Road which looks out upon heavy landscaping and seating within the sidewalk. The exterior of the building is sensitive to the existing exterior design elements on the campus such as precast concrete and curtain wall window framing, but utilizes these elements in a timeless way through the use of a curved façade with larger, more articulated expanses of glass and metal panels. A corner circulation tower at the street corner anchors the building in two directions and allows for unique lighting effects and branding.