Boston – Fitzemeyer & Tocci Associates, Inc. (F&T), in collaboration with NBBJ Architects and Turner Construction Company, is currently providing facility design and construction administration for Brigham & Women’s Faulkner Hospital’s (BWFH) new 5-story, 98,000sf Inpatient Addition in Jamaica Plain. F&T has served as the owner’s engineer for BWFH since 2001.
The addition includes 78 new inpatient beds, along with clinical support and ambulatory space. Additionally, it features an expanded endoscopy suite, upgraded radiology imaging facilities, a new MRI suite, and an 8-bed extended recovery unit. The overall project also entails the construction of a new parking garage to replace the aging west parking garage, offering modern and environmentally friendly features across its five levels.
With a total construction cost of $250 million, the project emphasizes sustainability, aiming for high envelope and infrastructure system performance at LEED Silver level. This includes enhancing the utilization of the hospital’s cogeneration plant and other Energy Conservation Measures (ECM). The project’s design, partially built over the existing radiology and surgery departments’ roofs, posed challenges that required close collaboration between F&T, NBBJ, and the entire design and construction team.
“The team at Fitzemeyer & Tocci Associates, along with NBBJ Architects and Turner Construction Company, have shown exceptional commitment and professionalism throughout the project. Their collaborative approach, innovative solutions, technical expertise, and commitment to practical sustainability and operational efficiency have been key factors in delivering a state-of-the-art facility that will benefit our patients, visitors, staff, and community for years to come,” said Edward Pitts, CHFM, CLSS-HC, executive director of facilities & support services at BWFH.
F&T is responsible for MEP/FP engineering, leveraging the existing infrastructure to support the new addition. Strategic upgrades to systems such as steam heating, domestic water, medical gas, and electrical service are designed to improve overall efficiency and reduce maintenance impacts.
The heating requirements of the addition are met by existing cogeneration and steam boiler plant, creating a dedicated hot water heating loop. The terminal heating and cooling systems utilize chilled beams to maximize efficiency and a traditional VAV system in areas to maximize flexibility to adjust pressurization. A new, highly efficient water-cooled chilled water plant with N+1 redundancy supports cooling needs. Electrical power is extended from the existing medium voltage switchgear to a new, double-ended unit substation, ensuring dual utility circuit redundancy.
Construction is in progress, with the addition expected to be completed by April 2025.
