Evanston Hospital is a comprehensive acute care facility with emphasis on cardiac care, cancer care, and multiple surgical specialties. It is a Level I Trauma Center and includes a simulation facility for training medical professionals and first responders.
GBA provided mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, and medical gas engineering design services for a renovation of the labor and delivery unit on the ground floor of the Women’s Hospital building. The 5,500-square-foot renovation increased the number of LDR rooms, added additional support space and expanded an existing C-section room. The project included 14 updated LDRs, including a new isolation LDR, and a hydrotherapy tub LDR. The design also provided core support spaces, including a vestibule and entry lobby, concierge desk, security desk, and surgery support. Four new LDR rooms were created through relocation of the existing staff locker rooms and lounge to a prior gift shop location.
The project was phased to allow the unit to continue partial operations as work proceeded. Construction was done during the COVID pandemic, adding an extra level of difficulty. Pressurization and temperature issues in the existing entrance lobby/vestibule were among the challenges addressed by the design.
The mechanical, plumbing and fire protection scope included the following:
- GBA provided new VAV boxes and ductwork distribution and replaced perimeter fin tube heating with new radiant ceiling panels.
- Existing medical gas piping was modified to serve the new patient room headwalls, and toilet room exhaust duct distribution was modified to support new toilet rooms.
- Plumbing fixtures and piping were demolished and replaced throughout the renovated space to serve new patient bathrooms and miscellaneous sinks. Relocation of existing stacks and plumbing work on the floor below was required to accommodate the new layout.
- Wet sprinkler system piping and heads were relocated and replaced to align with the new room layout.
Dickerson Engineering, Inc. provided electrical engineering design for this project.
Photos: Darris Lee Harris
