Collaborative, Lean construction drove this major hospital modernization and expansion. From the outset, we placed the right people in the right spots. Teams that would typically work separately, including BIM and the MEP contractor, were located onsite in shared office space. All used pull planning, resulting in improved buy-in from subcontractors and major efficiencies. Meetings were focused, with challenges addressed immediately because all principle players were already present.

A long, complex project can see a trickle-down effect if anything goes wrong. We proactively met the challenge of getting back on schedule after an earth-retention disruption cost almost six weeks during the foundation stage. When work had to be rearranged, all impacted parties could respond in concert and get back on schedule. The bottom line was efficiency, especially in prework and preconstruction, saving money so the disruption did not impact the overall budget.

Never lost was the fact that this was a large, working hospital that needed eight operating rooms available at all times. For us that meant careful phasing, temporary HVAC, even temporary tunnels through projects to maintain access - all while remaining virtually invisible to patients and their families. The end result included an expanded surgical pavilion with state-of-the-art operating rooms and a new Women’s Center with a dedicated Labor, Delivery and Post-Partum Unit.