2025 Midwest Best Projects
Award of Merit, Small Project: CDC Port Health Station Build-Out at Detroit Metropolitan Airport
CDC Port Health Station Build-Out at Detroit Metropolitan Airport
Detroit
Award of Merit
Submitted by RS&H Inc.
Owner: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Wayne County Airport Authority
Lead Design Firm: RS&H Inc.
General Contractor: LaSalle Construction Services
MEP Engineer: DiClemente Siegel Design Inc.
As part of an effort to enhance the CDC’s ability to monitor and respond to international health concerns, an existing airside building was transformed into a facility that combines precision engineering with thoughtful design. This state-of-the-art facility was completed on schedule in April 2025.
The station includes advanced assessment areas, emergency call systems and flexible spaces for traveler evaluation. Supporting these spaces are specialized zones for donning and doffing personal protective equipment. Antimicrobial finishes and careful material selection balanced the project’s focus on safety and aesthetics.
Given the project’s secure airside location and limited footprint, the team had to carefully navigate utility relocations and coordination among multiple airport stakeholders. To meet the facility’s stringent acoustic separation requirements, the team used advanced partitioning systems that maintained sound isolation without compromising space constraints.
To optimize space use within a constrained footprint, the design team utilized creative layouts for specialized areas, such as assessment rooms and PPE donning and doffing spaces. Streamlining construction in a secure airport zone required efficient logistics workflows as well. Material deliveries and movement were carefully planned along secured pathways, minimizing disruptions to airport operations while adhering to safety protocols.
