With the help of Dallas-based HKS Inc. as the lead architectural firm, as well as Self-Tucker Architects and Archimania, both of Memphis, the construction of the eight-story tower began in November 2016, and is currently being erected on top of the standing emergency department that Turner construction built in 2014. The notable design features reflect the goal of the medical facility earning its LEED Gold certification as well as attracting top-ranking medical professionals from all over the globe.

According to Kyle Reeves, Turner project executive for the tower, the team selected a unitized curtain wall glass system that will be pre-assembled off site and erected quicker than a stick built system in order to meet the insistent schedule. The curtain wall includes a dynamic glass system, which changes shade in response to sunlight to help with energy efficiency. The construction also includes two green roof areas, which create a calmer healing environment to improve patient outcomes.

“The use of glass, cast stone and metal panels provides a new identity for the campus entrance while also providing a destination that will attract the world’s top medical professionals,” said Reeves. “The use of dynamic glass throughout the entire project adds a level a comfort for patients and family. A new concourse on level three will be the main pedestrian spine that connects the existing hospital to the new expansion. The main public elevator lobby will have glass walls on two sides with enhanced lighting. Its glass walls rise above the roof level, forming a symbolic beacon that reinforces the faith-based focus of Methodist University Hospital.”

The new tower is expected to elevate patient care for Memphis and the Mid-South. The tower will allow for the consolidation of the hospital’s transplant services into a two-floor inpatient/outpatient comprehensive transplant institute. It will also connect the oncology and outpatient care to create a new cancer center. The expansion allows for a 36 percent increase in ICU capacity and a 20 percent increase in the hospital’s operating room capacity.

“The new facility will be one of the most advanced patient- and family-centered state-of-the-art tertiary care facilities in the Mid-South region,” said Reeves. “This represents a major investment to healthcare in the Midtown Memphis community and innovative spaces that will elevate the care provided to the Mid-South region for generations to come. This new facility will become one of the most advanced patient- and family-centered, state-of-the-art tertiary care facilities in the Mid-South region. This master plan campus improvement will also push MUH further towards its goal of being one of the top academic hospitals in the country.”

The construction of this tower also implements an “integrated project delivery” system (IPD).

“Renovating a space while it remains fully operational can pose a number of challenges. The most frequently cited challenge is that construction often takes longer than it would if the space did not need to remain fully functioning during construction. However, thanks to new collaborative delivery methods like Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), we’re able to mitigate this problem,” said  Reeves.

According to Reeves, IPD focuses on delivering value, eliminating waste and continuously improving. It encourages collaboration, shared risk and accountability between the owner, builder and architect. The IPD team, bound under one contract, often includes the owner, builder and architect, but can also include engineers, large subcontractors and suppliers.

The team establishes a target budget early in the project and outlines clear goals to ensure the project aligns well with the owner’s objectives. With all major parties involved from day one, the system fosters effective communication and decision-making. The architect, builder and sometimes engineer are contractually obligated to work together for the benefit of the project. This level of buy-in means the entire team is focused on adding value to help build a better quality, lower risk and faster project.

The IPD team spends a significant amount of time planning on the front end, so the design and building phases essentially morph into one continuous phase. And because construction can begin before design is completed, we are able to radically improve schedule performance, eliminate costly change orders and therefore reduce the chance of any schedule slips or delays. The collaborative nature of IPD allows us to identify and fix any potential problem areas before they affect the flow of work.

Because of IDP, the market will no longer tolerate mediocrity when it comes to project performance — including cost and schedule overruns, inefficient staffing models and workflow patterns, and facilities that are difficult and expensive to maintain and operate. The Integrated Project Delivery approach ensures that the team maximizes efficiency through all phases, from schematic design through to completion. Ultimately, it guarantees that the builder and designer are focused on adding value, building the project with higher quality, lower risk and at a faster speed.

The facility also includes new technology and electronic systems with linear accelerators, the latest models of MRIs and other state-of-the-art imaging and radiology equipment. This also includes modernized pharmacy, laboratories, dialysis and interventional radiology areas.

According to a statement, Michael Ugwueke, president and CEO of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare expressed, “We are committed to the Midtown Medical District, and we are energized by our quest to put patients first in everything we do — from patient access, to patient experience to patient care, MLH is committed to providing high quality care to every patient who enters our doors.”

Project completion is expected for spring of 2019.

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San Francisco-based Environmental Building Strategies (EBS) provided sustainability engineering and LEED consulting, along with expert medical design by the San Francisco-based Kohan Group, as well as creative material use and sustainable medical building tactics of Redwood City, Calif.-based All Phase Builders. The northern California companies used their experience and knowledge to develop a building that is slashing the cost of past utility bills.

“By working with EBS to implement environmental features from the design phase, SFSA expects a strong return on investment from energy, water and waste savings,” said Matt Macko, founder and principal of EBS in a statement. “SFSA is truly a leader in transforming the medical industry’s operations and values, and it was an honor to work with the doctors and the talented design team to continue advocating better buildings in the community we live and share in.”

For those not fully aware of the extensive green benefits of receiving LEED Platinum, an example from the company may help to put the building’s performance in perspective. SFSA’s existing office in Cupertino, Calif., was not built to achieve LEED Platinum status and is half the size of the new office in San Francisco, but spends three times as much on energy bills.

Not only is the facility achieving high performance marks in energy efficiency, but it’s also defying the stereotypes of bland health care design facilities. The staff has raved about the amenities and the project team has shown that going green is possible even within the constraints of a health care facility design.

“Our goal was to create a green practice to serve as an example for the health care community, showcasing the endless possibilities with today’s technology and sustainable building materials,” said Nima Massoomi, DMD, MEd, MD and co-founder of SFSA. “We’ve invested heavily in cutting-edge technology to improve our patient outcomes, while reducing the impact on our environment and local community. Our new facility dispels the typical feel of a surgical office, making our patients and staff feel as if they’re visiting a spa.”

The new facility mixes modern amenities with state-of-the-art equipment and a fresh, clean and comforting environment. Patients, staff and visitors, alike, can appreciate the commitment to energy efficiency and attention to detail in the design, operations and attention to patient care.

Energy-Efficient Features
• 37 percent reduced lighting power through LED lighting, occupancy sensors and lighting controls
• 90 percent Energy Star qualified appliances including LED monitors and solar-powered keyboards
• 100 percent paperless records and administration
• 40 percent reduction in water usage through pressure assist toilets and automatic faucets
• Post-consumer recycled content in steel framing, wall coverings, countertops and floor tiles
• Furniture containing 97 percent recycled content
• “Green Cleaning Procedure” to minimize building occupant exposure to hazardous chemicals
• Oil-free medical suction system featuring integrated amalgam-separator to prevent mercury waste into the San Francisco Bay and Pacific Ocean
• A combination of 2D/3D medical CT imaging machine with one of the lowest radiation profiles on the market

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