Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Hospital orthopedic center in St. Louis stands out as a prime example of how design-build serves as the preferred procurement method, not only because design-build can deliver a project on time, under budget and without litigation. It also can do so with the latest state-of-the-art facilities in the country.
In St. Louis, this particular project also proved how environmental awareness, sustainability and technology can come together through design-build, where the center offers comprehensive, one-stop outpatient care with the latest, technologically advanced amenities.
Designed and built by Clayco Inc., the new two-story, 60,000-square-foot facility provides minimally invasive surgical procedures that allow patients to be admitted and discharged on the same day. Serving as the department’s primary facility for sports medicine, hand surgery, shoulder surgery, foot and ankle surgery and physical medicine and rehabilitation, the state-of-the-art facility features a full-service orthopedic surgery center and all associated support facilities, an MRI suite, rehab facilities, exam rooms and doctors offices.
“Green” considerations were integral in the design and construction of the LEED v2.0 CS — Core and Shell registered orthopedic center. From selection of materials to be used on the project to the proper disposal of construction waste, all practical and economical sustainable measures were considered for the health of the building’s employees and visitors. To offer a healthier and cleaner environment for its users, base building energy systems were installed with the capability to meter individual tenants, as well as a ventilation system that increases efficiency and change effectiveness that exceeds 30 percent beyond code requirements. Exterior upgrades included lighting systems for directed illumination which limits sky glow, spill and glare to surrounding areas.
Taking its environmental responsibility into consideration, more than 50 percent of the total generated construction waste was diverted from area landfills and more than 30 percent of the building materials were made from high percentage recycled content. In addition, the building incorporated extensive use of native and adaptive vegetation that require less water — reducing the toll on municipal water supplies — and preferred parking for low emitting and fuel efficient vehicles, which create a measurable reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, greenhouse gas effects and smog, as well as reduced reliance on irreplaceable natural resources.
Clayco worked closely with the owners and architects to meet the specific needs of the orthopedic doctors occupying the building. Legacy Building Group, Clayco’s joint venture partner on the tenant improvements, completed the interior fit-out work, which was finalized as the core and shell was near completion. By working in this parallel manner, the project was able to be completed on a fast track schedule.