Delivering on a Promise: A Premiere Health Care Facility
Sandra R. Berman Pavilion | Towson, MD
Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) embarked on The Promise Project to meet the changing needs of patients, attract the best medical staff and strengthen their position as a premier space for patient care in Baltimore. The two-phase project was GBMC’s largest project in 25 years—beginning halfway through the construction of the Phase I Louis and Phyllis Friedman Building, the Phase II, construction of the Sandra R. Berman Pavilion broke ground. A 78,000-sq.-ft. comprehensive oncology facility atop a four-story parking garage, the new pavilion is a state-of-the-art facility designed to revolutionize cancer care by consolidating comprehensive oncology services under one roof, creating a centralized hub for patient-centered cancer care that enhances the patient experience by providing easy access to multidisciplinary teams and advanced treatment options in a single, convenient location.
Modernizing Baltimore Health Care The Promise Project
The hospital expansion provides a new, modern and welcoming environment for patients, staff and visitors. Phase two of the Promise Project, the Berman Pavilion, a $72M two-story cancer center and four-story below grade parking garage, began halfway through the Friedman project, with additional project planning. DPR’s team seamlessly coordinated the demolition of the existing building on the Berman site and reworked the utilities while managing the adjacent construction of the Friedman building. Key trades were shared, helping control onsite manpower, quality and consistency.
The Berman Pavilion features:
- Two-story oncology building
- Four-story, 400-car parking garage
- Medical facilities, including 26 infusion chairs, 10 private rooms, two isolation rooms, a dedicated oncology pharmacy, diagnostic imaging center, boutique and salon and lab spaces
- Patient and family-centric spaces, including spacious treatment, and healing and waiting rooms
ABC Greater Baltimore, Excellence in Construction Diamond
Award
GBMC's Sandra R. Berman Pavilion was honored with an Excellence in Construction Award by ABC Greater Baltimore.
Photos: Jeff Sauers, CPI Productions
Executing this project while maintaining full hospital operations required a design and construction team that prioritized collaboration, innovation and precision. Your team engaged early in the design phase, seamlessly integrating with GBMC leadership to develop a high-performing project team. Through value management sessions, extensive planning and mock-ups of key features, you delivered innovative solutions that balanced cost efficiency with GBMC’s operational needs.
Russ Sadler, Senior Director of Facility Planning, Design & Energy
Greater Baltimore Medical Center
The Challenges
Coordinating Construction on an Active Medical Campus
Managing both construction projects while maintaining uninterrupted hospital operations required meticulous planning and collaboration. Given the site's tight logistics, careful planning was required to ensure safe and efficient operations. The Berman Pavilion reached the design development document stage when Friedman was well underway, which called for modifications to the Friedman plans. To accommodate the needs of the upcoming Berman Pavilion, recently installed utilities for Friedman were reworked, upgraded, protected by utilizing a full-perimeter rooftop safety rail system erected during the early stages of the project.
Mindful of patient rest and recovery, we implemented phased construction schedules and employed noise-reduction techniques to minimize disruptions to patient care. The core and shell of the parking garage was also completed quickly to accommodate the hospital’s operational needs.
Large-Scale Excavation and Structural Work
The project entailed the construction of the core and shell post-tension structure, which included the medical office building, a new parking garage and critical connectors tying into the existing medical center. The garage and medical office building required extensive coordination and precision engineering, including:
- Removing 40,000 cubic yards of soil, with 8,000 cubic yards specifically removed for the bio-retention pond.
- Constructing a 555-foot-long soil nail wall to support the site's elevation changes, ensuring long-term structural stability. The wall contained 901 soil nails ranging from 15 to 50 feet in length.
The
Challenges
Coordinating Construction on an Active Medical Campus
Managing both construction projects while maintaining uninterrupted hospital operations required meticulous planning and collaboration. Given the site's tight logistics, careful planning was required to ensure safe and efficient operations. The Berman Pavilion reached the design development document stage when Friedman was well underway, which called for modifications to the Friedman plans. To accommodate the needs of the upcoming Berman Pavilion, recently installed utilities for Friedman were reworked, upgraded, protected by utilizing a full-perimeter rooftop safety rail system erected during the early stages of the project.
Mindful of patient rest and recovery, we implemented phased construction schedules and employed noise-reduction techniques to minimize disruptions to patient care. The core and shell of the parking garage was also completed quickly to accommodate the hospital’s operational needs.
Large-Scale Excavation and Structural Work
The project entailed the construction of the core and shell post-tension structure, which included the medical office building, a new parking garage and critical connectors tying into the existing medical center. The garage and medical office building required extensive coordination and precision engineering, including:
- Removing 40,000 cubic yards of soil, with 8,000 cubic yards specifically removed for the bio-retention pond.
- Constructing a 555-foot-long soil nail wall to support the site's elevation changes, ensuring long-term structural stability. The wall contained 901 soil nails ranging from 15 to 50 feet in length.
The Solutions
Technology Solutions
As a post-tensioned concrete structure, it was critical to ensure that all MEP components and slab penetration were accurately laid out and designed to avoid conflicts with structural elements. Utilizing Building Information Modeling (BIM) to coordinate mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, the team led extensive pre-coordination with each trade and engaged with end users to validate the design and functionality of the space.
A key area of BIM focus was the integration of the advanced oncology equipment needed which demanded precise coordination with vendors and medical professionals for placement and seamless integration of specialized medical equipment.
To further enhance accuracy, laser scanning technology was utilized during concrete pours. This ensured precise slab placement of MEP components, proper embedment locations and alignment of all structural and MEP systems, reducing rework and improving construction efficiency.
Collaborative Efforts Lead to Successful Waterproofing
The construction of the cancer center demanded meticulous attention to detail and robust waterproofing solutions to ensure the integrity of its diverse building envelope. The envelope, comprising glazing, precast panels and metal panel systems, required comprehensive waterproofing by DPR’s self-perform work team for both the building envelope and the garage. The building's exterior involved sealing concrete joints, wrapping the building with a weather/air barrier system, and waterproofing confined spaces and the entire below-grade foundation.
Early engagement with the GBMC project team ensured constructability, detail development and cost predictability. Additional craft team members collaborated with the architect and envelope consultant to drive the schedule and ensure smooth installation, demonstrating the effectiveness of early project management engagement and team collaboration.
The
Solutions
Technology Solutions
As a post-tensioned concrete structure, it was critical to ensure that all MEP components and slab penetration were accurately laid out and designed to avoid conflicts with structural elements. Utilizing Building Information Modeling (BIM) to coordinate mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, the team led extensive pre-coordination with each trade and engaged with end users to validate the design and functionality of the space.
A key area of BIM focus was the integration of the advanced oncology equipment needed which demanded precise coordination with vendors and medical professionals for placement and seamless integration of specialized medical equipment.
To further enhance accuracy, laser scanning technology was utilized during concrete pours. This ensured precise slab placement of MEP components, proper embedment locations and alignment of all structural and MEP systems, reducing rework and improving construction efficiency.
Collaborative Efforts Lead to Successful Waterproofing
The construction of the cancer center demanded meticulous attention to detail and robust waterproofing solutions to ensure the integrity of its diverse building envelope. The envelope, comprising glazing, precast panels and metal panel systems, required comprehensive waterproofing by DPR’s self-perform work team for both the building envelope and the garage. The building's exterior involved sealing concrete joints, wrapping the building with a weather/air barrier system, and waterproofing confined spaces and the entire below-grade foundation.
Early engagement with the GBMC project team ensured constructability, detail development and cost predictability. Additional craft team members collaborated with the architect and envelope consultant to drive the schedule and ensure smooth installation, demonstrating the effectiveness of early project management engagement and team collaboration.
Construction Dive: On site: Inside Look at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center Promise
Project
DPR featured in Construction Dive--On site: DPR Advances Maryland Hospital Expansion
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