SAVING $39 MILLION AND 14 MONTHS OF CONSTRUCTION IS HARD TO IGNORE

Project Managers Hallsta, c|a ARCHITECTS, designer and Miles & Kelley, general contractors, are enthusiastically pleased to announce the successful completion of the Supply Chain and Kitchen Expansion Remodel at PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, CA. The complete 12,800 SF renovation is an important step in garnering AB2190 seismic compliance, and a testament to how early agency collaboration, a cohesive and devoted owner/manager/designer/builder team, and outside the box thinking can make the seemingly impossible, possible.

PIH Health had been evaluating a seismic compliance approach to meet AB2190- an approach that was projected to cost over $50 million, would build significant non-revenue generating space and add costly infrastructure to implement. Further, the looming deadline of July 2022 made all this prohibitive, with no way to complete the work in time. Another scenario would need to happen. The owners then turned to Hallsta to see if a more cost-effective solution could be realized.

Hallsta created a clear path for compliance. The plan involved an early collaborative approach with HCAi, as well as significantly reducing project complexity. Using Pull Planning on this project gave the team full collaboration not only from the general contractor, but from subcontractors, the design team, owner, and inspector of record. Precise milestone dates were coordinated in advance, allowing for the agency to anticipate and dedicate resources for efficient turnaround. c|a ARCHITECTS brought a seasoned team of designers and architects to develop the document package and coordinate the time-sensitive reviews with HCAi. Leveraging cloud-base scheduling and project management, and virtual meetings, the teams were continually in sync and communicating.

The project is located at the hospital’s lower level in an area used previously as a parking garage. Earlier proposals included a new loading dock for SPD, and a costly conveyance system for moving materials. The Hallsta approach reframed the solution, with a solution that determined a dock wasn’t needed after all. A simpler receiving area was conceived, located adjacent to materials storage. A small kitchen expansion, supplementary storage areas, and new decedent holding facilities were also incorporated into the compliance plan.

Critical to the planning process was to avoid the crossing of clean and soiled materials from the receiving area, and along a pathway that assured safe and distinct movement of materials. Scope reduction of the existing kitchen brought further cost and time savings. The morgue was accommodated by providing body holding on site, with an outsourced morgue/autopsy service, further minimizing clinical and operational impact.

Miles & Kelley were instrumental in “Pre-RFI” meetings, where their field questions were discussed in advance of formal RFI development. This proved to shorten response times, and often resulted in resolving the issue without requiring the time-consuming development of an official RFI. Hallsta, acting as the owner’s representative, was able to authorize continued work, or materials ordering, allowing the construction progress to respond to unpredictable supply chain issues more effectively.

Construction coordination meetings were conducted every other day, and the constant communication kept all team members current on the state of progress. All project activities were cloud-based to keep all lines of communication accessible and open.

It was this all-in collaboration that would be the difference maker, and it was through Hallsta’s management and HCAi connections that allowed the entire team to complete something that other firms (and HCAi) didn’t think possible.

Hallsta, c|a ARCHITECTS, and Miles & Kelley take great pride in participating in the health of our communities.

Greg Miles (Miles & Kelley), Guy Jimenez, Brent Oswald, (c|a ARCHITECTS) and Ola Ostlund, (Hallsta), Left to right

The Supply Chain and Kitchen Expansion Remodel was completed in 8 short months, for just one-fifth of the originally anticipated budget. Delivering healthcare projects on budget and schedule allows for institutions like PIH Health to not simply remain in compliance, but to continuously maintain and enhance the health and well-being of every member their community.