Renovation work included, but was not necessarily limited to, refurbishment of existing
areas with paint, new base and flooring, wall coverings, new machine room-less passenger
elevator, projection screen and repair and refinishing of Portland cement terrazzo flooring.

To allow the facility to remain operational during the day; construction was completed during
the night hours from 6:00pm-4:30am Monday-Friday. The entire project was divided into
9-phases to maintain functionality of all existing areas.

New areas of the expansion/renovation consisted of the following:
Phase 1: New Doctor’s Wing
Phase 2: Health Promotions Area
Phase 3: Renovation/Relocation of Psychiatry Area
Phase 4: Expansion/Relocation of Medical Records
Phase 5: Expansion/Relocation of Pharmacy with new retail space
Phase 6: Expansion/Relocation of new North wing of Medical Clinic
Phase 7: Renovation of existing Administration Area
Phase 8: Renovation of existing Allergy Care Area
Phase 9: Expansion/Relocation of new South wing of Medical Clinic

The project features decorative metal paneling housing the interactive screen array and video walls in the main space. Conference rooms with operable partition dividers allow for flexible use of meeting space and fabric-wrapped acoustic wall panels, located throughout the facility, mitigate sound in public spaces and meeting rooms. Strategically placed BASWAphon acoustical plaster ceilings also aid in the control of sound transmittance. The briefing room is equipped with a Cisco Telepresence system, comprised of three display screens. The visual and interactive details were crucial in creating the environment envisioned by Kaiser Permanente. Examples of these elements include graphic image wall coverings displaying Kaiser branding and information about technology displays. Various technology demonstration areas are located in the facility, each containing display niches which demonstrate how doctors utilize technology for the betterment of the patients. Graphic image shades along the front windows are used not only to reduce light transmittance indoors but also to provide a visual display for passersby on the street, grabbing their attention and inviting them in to learn more about Kaiser Permanente.

Along with a commitment to green, the project team utilized some of the latest technology to improve the design and construction process. DPR utilized BIM for several purposes on this project including the coordination of the large amount of self-performed concrete work, totaling some 32,000-sq.-ft., as well as helped the team coordinate the extensive under slab plumbing work. DPR estimates a 375% return on investment, based on the savings realized through increased productivity and avoided rework when divided by the total BIM implementation costs.

With patients on floors above and below, the team focused on infection control and minimizing disruption from noise and vibration.
Materials were moved in and out of the building in covered containers to minimize construction-related debris from entering clean hospital areas. Tacky mats were placed inside entry points to construction zones to capture dust. Workers were required to wear booties in the work area, and to remove them at designated exit points (to keep used booties from being scattered around the jobsite).

Workers were reminded daily of the level of professionalism required when working in an occupied hospital. A DPR representative was onsite at all times to monitor noise levels, ensure workers know to keep voice levels down and don't drop materials on the floor.

When noisy work was unavoidable, DPR coordinated with occupants of the floors above and below to plan around patient needs when work took place.

The corporate headquarters tenant improvement project was a result of the consolidation of several other Yard House offices in Southern California. The 23,300-sq.-ft. office space, formerly occupied by Chrysler, encompasses one floor of a nine-story, 209,095-sq.-ft. office building within walking distance of the Yard House's Irvine restaurant located at the Irvine Spectrum outdoor shopping center.

The tenant improvement build-out was a high-end remodel of the entire floor consisting of office suites, conference rooms, administration space and a fully-stocked kitchen/lunch room. Unique design elements from the Yard House restaurants were included in the new office space, including their famous overhead "beer lines."

Designed utilizing materials and equipment to qualify project for USGBC LEED Certification, careful consideration was taken throughout the procurement effort. Some of its “sustainable features” include occupancy sensors, high-efficiency HVAC units and a shuttle bus which ties the building to nearby railway transit. A touch-screen building management system in the lobby gives the viewer an indication of how energy is being used throughout the building, while 40 kW photovoltaic panels on the roof generate electricity from solar energy. Refurbished office furniture was chosen for desks, with 40% of the materials used being manufactured locally. In addition, indoor water use is reduced by waterless urinals and all of the site’s toilet and irrigation water is supplied by reclaimed water from the City of San Diego. More examples of energy-saving tactics are the installation of a “cool roof,” the addition of insulation to the interiors of concrete walls and the use of low VOC (volatile organic compounds) finish products.

Energy-efficiency related strategies are the running theme of this entire project. By achieving an energy-efficient design, the project qualified for cash incentives and help with offsetting fees for LEED registration and certification from the SDG&E Sustainable Communities Energy Efficiency Program.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools are being used to streamline coordination of equipment installation and to resolve clashes before designs are complete. At the construction mid-way point, the team has identified 400 major clashes that have led to re-sizing of ductwork, lowering ceilings and re-routing of mechanical and electrical systems. The mechanical team estimates that the electronic coordination has saved them approximately two months on the schedule and $50,000-$10,000 due to lack of conflicts.

DPR created the architectural, structural and miscellaneous support models. The mechanical and electrical subcontractors each created their scopes in the model, as did the telecommunication and fire protection contractors. The subcontractors have gained the most use of the models through multidiscipline coordination, shop drawing creation and visuals to attach to RFIs.

At the end of the project, the model will be handed over to the owner to use with their ‘as-built’ documentation and facility management.