DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EDWARD HINES JR. VA HOSPITAL GU CLINIC RENOVATION
Completion: November 2021
Size: 4,200 SF
Services: Planning, Architecture, MEP/FP Engineering
VES is undertaking a comprehensive initiative to optimize the functionality and efficiency of the existing Genitourinary (GU) Clinic. To achieve this goal, a thorough assessment of current best practices in GU clinic design is being conducted in tandem with a detailed evaluation of the clinic's existing infrastructure. The current 6,265 square foot facility, including the procedure area, has been identified as inadequate to meet the growing demand for services. A critical shortage of exam rooms and inefficient space utilization have been recognized as primary challenges.
To address these issues, VES is developing a strategic design plan to maximize the potential of the available 4,200 square foot clinical space. This plan focuses on increasing the number of exam rooms while carefully considering the optimal allocation of other essential clinic functions.
The design was chosen through a collaborative process that involved the clinical staff. They reviewed and evaluated three alternative design schemes, providing valuable feedback on each option. This ensured that the final design met their specific needs and addressed the clinic's requirements effectively. This project aligns with the VA's mission of providing world-class healthcare to veterans. By increasing exam rooms, it will improve patient care and embody the VA's core values of compassion, commitment, and excellence.
HARBOR OAKS PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL
Completion: August 2020
Size: 100,000 SF
Services: MEP/FP Engineering
Harbor Oaks, a new 44-bed mental health facility specializing in inpatient and outpatient services, has been successfully completed for ACADIA Healthcare. A leading provider of behavioral health treatment, ACADIA Healthcare offers specialized care for children, adolescents, and adults struggling with mental health disorders and substance abuse.
To meet the growing demand for these critical services, ACADIA Healthcare embarked on a two-phase construction project. Phase one encompassed a 60,000 square foot facility equipped with two new air handling units (AHUs) capable of delivering 26,000 cubic feet per minute (CFM) and 90 tons of cooling. The second phase added an additional 40,000 square feet, including two more AHUs with identical specifications.
VES played a pivotal role in the project's success by contributing to the master planning for both phases. Through in-depth structured interviews with administrative and clinical service leaders, VES gained a comprehensive understanding of the facility's operational requirements and patient care needs. This invaluable input informed the design and implementation of the MEP/FP systems.
As a key member of the design-build team, VES demonstrated exceptional efficiency by delivering the MEP/FP engineering for Phase one in a remarkably short timeframe of eight weeks. The subsequent construction phase was completed within ten months, underscoring VES's commitment to timely project execution.
TIMBERLINE KNOLLS RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY
Completion: June 2020
Size: 61,400 SF
Services: MEP/FP Engineering
Located on 43 acres in the suburbs of Chicago, Timberline Knolls is a leading residential treatment center that helps girls and women seeking lasting recovery from eating and mood disorders, drug addiction, alcohol abuse, trauma, and other co-disorders.
VES was involved with constructing three new buildings and the development of the site on the Lemont campus. A 9,400 SF, one-story Welcome Center and two 26,000 SF, one and two-story Lodge Buildings. The Lodge buildings house the residents, and the Welcome Center is a multipurpose building for gatherings, education, offices, and creative areas for art. The siting of the facilities takes advantage of the woods and views and provides for lighted walking trails. Timberline Knolls is the third design-build project VES and ALPA Construction have done together. As part of this design-build team, VES worked with ALPA-Builder and Aabriel-Architecture.
Pre-Planning included verification of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems. Engineering also included fire alarm, HVAC, energy code compliance, ventilation ductwork, piping, equipment, power, interior lighting & raceway system for telecommunications. Site lighting, including site path lighting and parking lot lighting, is required for this Residential Treatment Center.
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​VES's involvement in the Timberline Knolls project was instrumental in creating a safe, comfortable, and supportive environment for the residents. The new facilities, combined with the comprehensive engineering services provided by VES, contribute to the center's ability to provide effective treatment and support for individuals seeking recovery.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS JESSE BROWN VA MEDICAL CENTER FACILITIES ANALYSIS AND MASTER PLAN UPDATE
Completion: Ongoing
Size: 1.2M SF
Services: Planning, Architecture, MEP/FP Engineering
VES developed a five-year master plan for the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center campus. They evaluated space needs and adjacencies, explored opportunities to make best use of limited resources, and developed recommendations to meet projected changes in clinical demand.
Included in each was an impact narrative describing the current and future HVAC/FP and other infrastructure systems function and compliance issues for the areas they serve. The VA will select two to move forward with these six optimization plans and further develop in support of continuous improvement of clinical and administrative services.
The VA team selected a final plan and incorporated the completed work into the facility master plan update. Also chosen was the statement of conditions incorporating the infrastructure systems assessment findings, prioritizing recommendations for significant repairs or replacement to meet future needs.
