The new Mercy Hospital Joplin in Missouri was designed to withstand winds of up to 250 mph.
The $465 million structure replaces St. John's Regional Medical Center that was destroyed in a 2011 tornado that devastated the city. The new 900,000 sf facility is scheduled to open 46 months after the storm struck.
The new hospital features a window and frame system that can protect patients from winds of up to 250 mph. The structure was built with a concrete roof and a precast concrete outer shell.
Engineers and architects with McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. and HKS Architects studied the storm’s aftermath and applied lessons drawn from that analysis in the new building.
Other buildings own by Mercy have also been shored up to withstand high winds. Strengthened windows have been added to other Mercy buildings including an orthopedic hospital in Springfield, Missouri, and a rehabilitation hospital in Oklahoma City.
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Dec 3, 2020
2020 Healthcare Sector Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. healthcare facilities sector
HDR, Jacobs, and Turner top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest healthcare facilities sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2020 Giants 400 Report.
Healthcare Facilities | Nov 23, 2020
HOK designs new cancer pavilion for Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey
The project will be New Jersey’s first comprehensive cancer center.
AEC Tech | Nov 12, 2020
The Weekly show: Nvidia's Omniverse, AI for construction scheduling, COVID-19 signage
BD+C editors speak with experts from ALICE Technologies, Build Group, Hastings Architecture, Nvidia, and Woods Bagot on the November 12 episode of "The Weekly." The episode is available for viewing on demand.
Smart Buildings | Oct 26, 2020
World’s first smart building assessment and rating program released
The SPIRE Smart Building Program will help building owners and operators make better investment decisions, improve tenant satisfaction, and increase asset value.
Building Team Awards | Oct 22, 2020
Judging a book by its cover
The New York Presbyterian David H. Koch Center wins a Silver Award in BD+C’s 2020 Building Team Awards.
Building Team Awards | Oct 20, 2020
Seamless speed to market drives Texas hospital’s growth
Learn why the Methodist Richardson Medical Center Vertical Expansion, in Richardson, Texas, was honored with a Gold Award in the 2020 Building Team Awards.
Healthcare Facilities | Oct 2, 2020
Healthcare Design Awards promote projects that heal
Awards program highlights trends in healthcare facility designs.
University Buildings | Sep 16, 2020
A new interprofessional hub opens on U. Minnesota’s campus
The Health Sciences Education Center includes two floors for simulation and immersive training.
Healthcare Facilities | Sep 16, 2020
New Foster + Partners-designed hospital begins construction in Cairo
The project focuses on natural light, greenery, and views of the outside.
Healthcare Facilities | Sep 10, 2020
Easing the oncology journey: The role of urgent care
Oncology patients are better served when they’re connected to the right staff.
