In healthcare, where every second counts, effective facility delivery is mission critical to support life-saving treatment. Yet traditional project models often fall short, bogged down by cost overruns, slow approval processes and high change order rates. Design-Build is changing that.
Unlike Design-Bid-Build (DBB), Construction Manager as Advisor (CMAA) or Construction Management-at-Risk (CMAR), this streamlined approach unites designers and contractors from day one. The benefits speak for themselves: quicker turnarounds, economical solutions and a holistic strategy tailored to meet the unique challenges of modern care environments.
MITIGATED RISK THROUGH A SINGLE-SOURCE OF CONTACT
Typically, owners must juggle multiple agreements with architects and contractors, leading to information gaps. Design-Build eliminates this fragmentation by consolidating all roles under a single proposal for simplified project management.
For instance, when building a behavioral health facility, collaboration between design and construction teams can help guarantee that regulatory requirements and safety standards are met. Live adjustments—like positioning nurse stations for patient observation while still maintaining their privacy, or incorporating ligature resistant fixtures—reduce the need for redesigns. Although owners still set and approve key milestones, they can rely on the Design-Build team to handle decision-making and execution independently.
COST PREDICTABILITY & WISER BUDGETING
Financial control is another cornerstone of the Design-Build method. Early construction team involvement improves forecasting, helps with constructability and creates opportunities for value engineering during conceptual design, safeguarding operational needs without bloating expenses.
For the new URMC Geneseo Medical Office, our team partnered with contractors to select exterior wall panel treatments that balanced aesthetic and financial goals. The resulting building seamlessly blends with the existing campus while remaining under budget.
ACCELERATED SPEED TO MARKET & EFFICIENCY GAINS
By overlapping the design and construction phases, Design-Build can shave months off sensitive project timelines: a major advantage for urgent care centers, medical office buildings and hospitals providing critical services.
This is especially crucial as healthcare networks adjust to evolving demands. Whether increasing capacity for growing patient populations or introducing new programs to address emerging concerns, medical spaces will be ready when they’re needed most.
Our healthcare practice team employed design-build to meet an expedited schedule for Cleveland Clinic’s 93,000 sq. ft. Middleburg Heights Family Health Center. Concurrent visioning and construction mitigated potential bottlenecks like a lengthy structural approval process and material lead times. As a result, Ohio’s largest medical office building was operational in just under a year.
3 CONSIDERATIONS FOR SUPERIOR DESIGN-BUILD PROJECTS
While the model offers significant benefits, it’s not without hurdles. Tighter budgets may necessitate compromises on finishes and furnishings, making it vital for owners to outline desired specifications sooner than later. Additionally, highly specialized facilities like custom research labs may require a more iterative design process better suited to conventional delivery.
Regardless, careful planning is essential for implementation. Administrators should weigh three priorities to navigate the Design-Build process with purpose:
- Align Goals Early. Define your organization’s long-term objectives at the outset and ensure all stakeholders are on board. Ambiguity and a lack of consensus can lead to misunderstood expectations, change orders or delays later in the process.
- Choose an Experienced Team. Select a team with proven track record in diverse healthcare projects, from cancer centers to patient units. Seasoned professionals understand healthcare regulations like FGI guidelines, infection control and life safety codes, and can more precisely integrate sophisticated HVAC and medical gas systems. Prior experience working together is another strong indicator of future success.
- Establish Protocols & Benchmarks for Excellence. Create a plan detailing roles, responsibilities and key performance indicators (KPIs) for transparency and clearer communication. Scheduling regular check-ins will further sustain momentum and dependability throughout the project.
Redefining the Blueprint for Healthcare Design
As medical technology advances and patient needs grow more complex, the Design-Build model offers a faster, more cost-effective way to create spaces that truly serve communities. Boosting agility, coordination and creative ingenuity, it positions healthcare leaders to do more than keep pace—it equips them to transform patient care, laying the groundwork for a healthier and more responsive future.
