2025 Texas & Southeast Best Projects
Award of Merit, Health Care: UNC Health, North Carolina Surgical Hospital
UNC Health, North Carolina Surgical Hospital
Hill, N.C.
Award of Merit
Submitted by Skanska USA Building
Owner UNC Health
Lead Design Firm Page
Construction Manager Skanska USA Building
Civil/Structural Engineer, Landscape Architect Stewart Engineering
Commissioning Agent RMF Engineering
Subcontractors Central Concrete of North Carolina; D.H. Griffin Wrecking Co.; E&H Steel Corp.; Growth Management Services; Pyramid Masonry Contractors; QL Commercial LLC
As the hospital system’s largest addition in more than 70 years, the seven-story, 379,000-sq-ft facility includes 26 operating rooms, nearly 60 pre- and post-operative rooms and 80 ICU beds.
During construction of deep foundations, the owner expanded the original project scope by 49,000 sq ft. Working with the structural engineer and steel fabricator, the project team determined a significant amount of steel that had already been fabricated for the project could be reused, preventing further budget risks.
To mitigate schedule delays, ICU and OR mock-ups were relocated off site, allowing construction to continue while hospital staff reviewed and provided feedback on room designs. The project team also supported subcontractors through the schedule rework process, collaborating to determine appropriate staffing needs to ensure their ability to meet the work sequencing schedule.
Hospital staff proved key in addressing pandemic-related health risks, working with the project team to establish infection control procedures and defining areas of patient impact to safeguard health and wellness.
Skanska negotiated a vendor agreement to ensure all project workers adhered to its safety procedures to facilitate a safe working environment for everyone. Over 5,500 workers, including subcontractors, went through Skanska’s safety site orientation to familiarize themselves with specific hazards on site and procedures for mitigating their associated risks.
