The Northern Nevada Sierra Medical Center is a new four-story, 170-bed facility, located on a greenfield site. The full-service acute hospital consists of ICU, med/surg and women’s OB services, outpatient imaging, a cardiac program and a 37-position emergency department. Created as a template hospital design, the client’s goal was to scale the facility to sites across the country based on market demand. Originally hired as a healthcare design consultant, ESa was engaged mid-design to bring the project back in line with schedule, budget and constructability goals.

Leading weekly efforts to review all disciplines, our team was able to eliminate $21 million in project costs while maintaining design intent and hospital functions for the client, Universal Health Services, Inc. This included the use of prefabricated exterior panels and other strategies implemented by the design team and reduced the fast-track construction schedule by six months. The general contractor and local trade partners were also brought on board early in the project process to inform design.

Located on the first floor, the ED, main lobby and outpatient imaging are all connected along an exterior public spine oriented toward the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The majority of patient rooms, which incorporate contemporary prefabricated headwalls designed to UHS system standards, are also oriented to provide impressive mountain views.

Amenities include deli-style dining with outdoor seating, a chapel and gift shop.

Photos: © Digiman Photography, Inc.