Photo by Diana Rothery

Building a 253,000-sq-ft expansion of an active hospital meant extra infection and noise control. During preconstruction, Skanska conducted demolition testing to determine the impact of upcoming work. The team monitored noise and vibration levels and crafted a mitigation plan that included creating buffer zones—two to three rooms deep—adjacent to exterior work. As an added measure, Skanska built sound attenuation walls between the buffer zones and occupied patient rooms. To ensure that airborne dust and bacteria from exterior demolition work did not penetrate the occupied hospital, Skanska installed permanent negative air walls connected to negative air machines. This solution also protected against exposure to inclement weather.

University of Washington Medical Center Expansion, Seattle

Key Players

Contractor: Skanska USA Building, Seattle

Owner: University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle

Lead Designer: NBBJ, Seattle

Civil/Structural Engineer: Magnusson Klemencic Associates, Seattle

Electrical Engineer: Sparling Associates, Seattle

Submitted by Skanska USA Building

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