Banner University Medical Center

Banner University Medical Center New Hospital Bed Tower & Central Utility Plant

Taking the long view on modern healthcare facilities in Tucson.

In planning for its new nine-story replacement hospital on the University Medical Center Campus in Tucson, Banner Health took the long view to anticipate 20 years of regional growth, evolving patient needs, and models of treatment.

AEI designed and is implementing the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems for the project, contributing to an integrated delivery process that includes “big room” trouble-shooting in real-time.

This state-of-the-art hospital tower features 204 inpatient private beds, 22 operating rooms, a hybrid operating room (OR), 25 imaging modalities, a mechanical floor, shelled space for future use, and a new central utility plant.

Location

Tucson, AZ

Partners

  • Shepley Bulfinch - Design Architect

Building Size

670,000 square feet

Awards

  • 2020 Best Project Award - Healthcare, ENR Southwest

This new academic medical center consists of four podium floors and five floors of in-patient rooms and medical spaces. Planning for the future, the structure and MEP infrastructure are designed for two additional floors.

72k
MBH heating hot water plant
6k
tons chilled water

AEI evaluated utility needs for future development of the entire medical center. The team collected meter data from the university and local utilities and then projected future needs with consideration to energy conservation measures being implemented for the existing buildings and new technologies incorporated into the design of the hospital.

With this data informing life cycle cost analysis, the economics of an on-campus Central Utility Plant were positive. The resulting CUP – with 6,000 tons of chilled water production, a 72,000 MBH heating hot water plant and 6 MW of diesel engine/generators – became operational late in 2017.

6,000
tons chilled water

Project Leaders