Memorial Health System and the Orthopaedic Center of Illinois (OCI) together envisioned the Koke Mill Medical Center. Besides housing OCI, the Center would be able to offer advanced medical treatment in a new Mammography Center; Outpatient Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy and Sports Medicine Facility; Laboratory; and Radiology facilities.

The design team had to move quickly, as it was the hospital’s goal to have the first major tenant in the building within one year. The contractor orchestrated the construction schedule around the mixed-occupancy tenants. This demanded that everyone involved in the project be diligent in meeting the schedule.

Numerous team and review meetings were essential, as well as periodic progress meetings during construction, to clarify any questions in the field. The construction manager brought several subcontractors into the project early on to help with the budget and schedule. For example, steel erection started before final plans were completed. The steel fabricator reviewed sections and details and suggested the most economical and efficient way to achieve the design. As situations arose during the construction, the construction manager informed all the team members and resolutions were quickly found.

Since Springfield is the home of the Dana Thomas House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the hospital and physicians wanted a prairie-style building resembling Wright’s architectural style, to create a comfortable, familiar setting for outpatients. This look was achieved by using large overhangs, horizontal bandings, low sloping hip roofs, and brick and limestone trim. The interior also took on this same style with the use of art glass and carpet patterns, wood columns, metal handrails and custom light fixtures. Mechanical, temperature-control, electrical, medical gas and plumbing engineering design considerations provided a first-class, state-of-the-art building that exceeded code requirements and provided energy efficiencies. All supply and return air-handling units were designed with variable-frequency drives. Many rooms were equipped with occupancy sensors that turn off the lights and reduce or shut down airflow through the Variable Air Volume (VAV) boxes when the room is unoccupied. If a room becomes occupied, the lights turn on and VAV units maintain desired temperatures. Fluorescent lighting utilizes T-8 lamps and PL lamps with electronic ballasts.

Because of the fast-track design and multiple phases of the project, the MEP systems were designed as the building shell was being constructed. Interior space assignment had yet to be determined. This required major distribution systems (HVAC, electrical and plumbing) to be designed and installed prior to building space design. The HVAC trunk was looped, allowing connection to individual rooms as the space design progressed. This design feature allows flexibility for future changes in building configuration. All HVAC units were designed to meet the needs of any space. For example, if a procedure room is moved to another part of the building, the air handler serving the relocated room can accommodate its requirements. The electrical and plumbing systems were designed similarly. VAV boxes were used throughout


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PROJECT CATEGORY New Construction (completed February 1999)

CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR Thomas G. Cavendar, PE, Vice-President Facilities Management, (217) 788-3344

FIRM BSA Design, (317) 819-7878

DESIGN TEAM Liz Brown, PE, (Henneman Raufheisen & Associates, Inc.); Robert P. Schoeck, Principal (BSA Design); Mike O’Shea (Harold O’Shea Builders); William Bailey, PE (Crawford, Murphy & Tilly); Julie Smith (Rowland Design)

PHOTOGRAPHY Benjamin Halpern

BED CAPACITY N/A

TOTAL BUILDING AREA (SQ. FT.) 97,000

TOTAL LAND AREA (ACRES) 9

TOTAL COST (EXCLUDING LAND) $12,000,000

A number of design considerations addressed environmental concerns. Air-handling units were designed with noise reduction in mind. Sound attenuators were used and ductwork designed to keep occupied space noise to a minimum. An attractive courtyard wall surrounds the chillers, condenser and emergency generator behind the building. The generator is equipped with hospital-grade exhaust attenuation. The courtyard wall shields the neighbors from the equipment and baffles the noise.