Project category: New construction & Remodel/Renovation (completed September 2011)

Chief administrator: M. Ted Wong, Major General, Commander, Southern Regional Medical Command, BAMC Chief, US Army Dental Corps.

Firm: RTKL Associates Inc., (888) 337-4685

Design team: Wayne Barger, Executive-in-Charge; Alan Sneed, Project Director; Robert Ting, Lead Designer; Michael Kennedy, Project Manager; Ramon Villalba, Project Architect (RTKL Associates Inc.); Eurico Francisco, Lead Designer (Devenney Group Ltd.)

Photography: © Charles Davis Smith

Total building area (sq. ft.): 765,323 (new); 302,000 (renovation)

Construction cost/sq. ft.: Not available

Total construction cost (excluding land): Not available

As part of the Base Realignment and Closure legislation, a major addition and renovation to Brooke Army Medical Center has transformed the campus into San Antonio Military Medical Center, the largest Department of Defense (DOD) inpatient facility.

The hospital is a world-class center for inpatient and ambulatory care, consisting of the DOD’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and burn center and a rooftop helipad.

The new one million SF project includes: a burn rehabilitation clinic, expanded operating room capabilities, a new emergency department, and a new patient bed tower. A 5,000-car garage and ancillary support and infrastructure are also included.

The new building connects to the existing hospital and builds upon its functional organization, without replicating the existing facility. Instead, a glass curtain wall on the north captures light and allows more freedom in placing interior partitions. On the south, a porch roof shades five stories and creates a visible icon to travelers on nearby I-35. On the west, a terracotta screen wall inhibits the amount of light and heat that reach the building. 

A large courtyard between the existing building and the new structure creates a pleasant distraction and a connection with nature. It provides a view from much of the building and a wayfinding reference.

A man-made pond serves as a sustainable element that allows water from the energy plant to slowly return to the water table rather than overload the city sewer system. The project is designed to meet LEED Silver rating.