Reducing Hospital Construction Costs Through Prototypical Design
As the Accountable Care Organization (ACO) model
takes shape, hospitals need to strategically define future real estate development needs. With construction costs having risen 2.5% last year, one financially beneficial solution is the design and development of prototypical facilities.
A prototype is not necessarily the repetition of the same facility multiple times, but rather reuse of the same concept including: structural spacing, engineering assumptions and overall dimensions. Defining the facility model by methodically planning profitable uses with qualified architects will produce cost effective design and construction concepts that can be repeatedly implemented.
Prototypical design will obviously vary by geography and topography. Conceptually, buildings can be sized in modular increments. Reusing the same “design” and specifications reduces architecture and engineering fees, overhead, interest carry, material lead time, and most importantly general contracting expense.
The same core elements in a different place with a different facade, providing similarly profitable medical services, increases cost savings and is ideological of the ACO model.
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I enjoy hearing your comments so feel free to add your thoughts on a healthcare topic of your choice.
I concur with the article’s assertion that costs can be lowered. I’m working on a LEED Platinum multifamily project that is pre-engineered iinto panels that are delivered to the jobsite with siding and windows installed. This pernmits us to build to the highest energy standards at $95/ft (including land) and cut construction time almost in half.
This technology was adapted from a builder who does LEED Platinum homes that are 3 times tighter than Energy Standards require. Imaging building a high end 2,400 sf home in 41 days from the time the tractors start sitework. The exact application of the two buildings is quite different, but the same techniquyes can be used to cut costs and construction times.
Thanks for your comment Rick. Do you have any experience using LEED with medical office buildings?
I find your articles very interesting. There seems to be a great deal of interest in the developing assisted living facilities and senior communities for the baby boomers. Do you think there will be a signficant increase in the need for these types of facilities?
Thanks for your comment and I agree. I see demand growing, but
remember, these facilities are not being built just for baby boomers,
rather baby boomers are just one factor creating a demand for assisted living facilities.