IPD Proves Valuable at Orlando Regional Medical Center

ORLANDO, Fla. — The utilization of integrated project delivery (IPD) has been a contributor of continued progress in the construction of the Orlando Regional Medical Center, according to Brasfield & Gorrie.

The firm, which is serving as contractor, has worked closely with project subcontractors and architect of record HKS to collaborate on the $297 million project. Both Brasfield & Gorrie and HKS hold local offices in Orlando, Fla.

“Collaboration is an element of IPD in which the contractor and the subcontractors work together with the designers through the design phase so the end result is a product that is achievable, is buildable and all the while we’re providing real-time estimates and budget updates to ensure the owner that we’re staying consistent with our financial responsibilities,” said Jerry Whitfield, senior project manager with Brasfield & Gorrie, in a statement.

The project consists of the 10-story, 300,000-sqaure-foot North Tower, the five-story, 100,000-square-foot south expansion and 100,000 square feet of renovation. The project team recently celebrated the topping out of the North Tower.

According to Brasfield & Gorrie, the IPD delivery method improves construction efficiency, risk management, and the predictability of cost and schedule. The construction project has implemented detailed phasing due to the sites urban setting and close proximity to the existing hospital, which continues to operate daily.

“This approach invited everyone to the table early on to map out the construction strategy, thereby increasing transparency and enabling us to provide Orlando Health with realistic cost projections at the start of the project,” said Ren Tilden, operations manager at Brasfield & Gorrie, in a statement.

Currently, all project subcontractors on the project are working in a warehouse near the jobsite in order to work alongside the project team to increase collaboration and maintain strong communication.

“The best outcome of this process is that it is enabling us to deliver a building that satisfies the expectations of our client while deepening trust and support between contractors and subcontractors,” Tilden said.

This is the third IPD health care project for Brasfield & Gorrie. The firm has also implemented IPD in past projects including the Texoma Medical Center in Denison, Texas, and the Spring Valley Hospital in Las Vegas.

Construction on the Orlando Regional Medical Center is expected to complete in late 2014.