As a federal project with more strin-
gent design requirements, the VA hospital
was constructed with 30 percent more
steel in the frame. The campus has 4,100,
150-foot-long structural precast piles
installed, 16,000 tons of structural steel
erected and 100,000 cubic yards of con-
crete were poured. The exterior enclosure
mock-up was built and tested and an
extensive value-engineering process was
completed.
Timing
Planning for the project's successful
delivery began during the pursuit process
with a proposed phased construction
schedule. Turning over the project in
segments allowed VA personnel more
time to commission, activate and move
into their new buildings. In 2014, the
project's fi rst building, the renovated
and restored historic Pan-American Life
Insurance building, was turned over to
the VA for its administrative offi ces. The
remaining eight buildings were turned
over upon completion, the most recent
being the diagnostic and treatment
building in October 2016.
1. The perimeter can withstand Category 3 storms and the walls are hardened to resist blasts, ballistic
assaults and ramming. The building's bones are designed to guard against progressive collapse; if one
part of the building is destroyed, it won't cause a domino effect and lead to a full collapse.
> 2. All
patient rooms are identical, single-occupancy spaces that can be converted into rooms for two people
to accommodate family members or to make room for additional patients in the case of an emergency.
Windows stretch from fl oor to ceiling to allow in natural light and provide garden views. Shades can be
opened and closed remotely.
> 3. Nursing stations are located in the hallways in the middle of every four
rooms to increase interaction between patients and staff.
3
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