VCU Health contracted Barton Malow to provide construction management with design-assist services for the multi-phase renovation and expansion of their Emergency Department without interrupting operations of the active facility. Spread across four phases, this project encompassed the select demolition of structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical and architectural elements, and the reconstruction and renovation of the critical care hospital, pediatric ER, exam rooms, X-ray and CT suites, support spaces, and most notably, the trauma resuscitation bay, which is vital to this Level 1 Trauma Center.
The team collaborated with the client, VCU, and the designer, HKS, to create a phased plan that allowed Emergency Department operations to continue uninterrupted. In addition to managing value engineering, budget analysis, and schedule development during preconstruction, Barton Malow was responsible for fully implementing the multi-phase construction effort, including coordination of owner-contracted trades and equipment as well as our direct subcontractors.
Operating in an Active Space
The need to keep the facility fully accessible to new patients and the department’s 24-hour nature provided the key challenges for this renovation. To meet the client’s needs, the Barton Malow team did significant phasing and scheduling work during preconstruction involving the architect, VCU Capital Programs, and user representatives. Swing space was created in the first phase of the project, and the balance of the work was drawn up to ensure a stable exam room count throughout construction. Formal weekly meetings were supplemented with informal daily meetings with the clinical coordinators and nurse manager, allowing the team to frequently verify the status of the work plan and minimize disruptions to staff and visitors. The collaborative nature of this process was recognized by ASHE with a 2016 Vista Award.
