Sutter Health’s Samaritan Court Ambulatory Care and Surgery Center (Samaritan Court), a three-story, 69,000 sf medical office building, was recently completed three months early and $3 million under budget, according to general contractor Skanska.
The project “marks the first time a general contractor has collaborated seamlessly with all trade partners (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, framing, and drywall) on layout strategy and responsibilities simultaneously,” Skanska says.
The accomplishment was aided by Dusty Robotics, a robot tool that its manufacturer says, “allows project teams to dramatically reduce schedule time and rework costs through accurate, full-scale floor layout.” Skanska worked with trade partners specializing in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, framing and drywall, to develop a combined layout plan in a “first-of-its-kind collaboration and implementation of Dusty Robotics.”
![Sutter Health’s new Samaritan Court Ambulatory Care and Surgery Center finishes three months early, $3 million under budget](/sites/default/files/inline-images/23_PAMF_CC_Samaritan%20Care%20Center_2506%20Samaritan%20Court_001.jpeg)
The project team also used a virtual punch list and Takt Planning, starting punch list activities during the design and preconstruction phases rather than in the closeout phase. The team focused on where improvements could be made to cut rework in half in comparison to projects of similar size and complexity.
The virtual punch list allowed each stakeholder to review final conditions—furniture, casework and equipment placement, ADA clearances, device and outlet alignment, utility connections, and item placements that would require unique finish details—in the building model. This allowed the team to achieve its goal of cutting rework by 50% on the project.
The design team strove for a warm, timeless, easy-to-maintain, and inviting space by incorporating warm woods, recessed modern lighting, natural stone, and visually stimulating wayfinding graphics. Wayfinding throughout the building used imagery of local flora and fauna elemental themes assigned to each floor, such as water, pebbles, and trees. Natural element-themed graphics were assigned to each medical practice to create an intuitive orientation in the building.
Located near the border of San Jose and Los Gatos, Calif., the building aims for patient-centered care. Design highlights include:
- Single entry/exit for patients, promoting clear wayfinding
- Centralized reception areas for upper floors at patient entry points
- Centralized waiting spaces on upper floors to allow a variety of clinical services to share seating and maximize efficiency for staff movement
- Localized departments to achieve the greatest operational efficiency for the best patient care with ease of access to core modalities including Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory Services
- Departmental adjacencies to share point-of-care rooms and support spaces between clinic modules and services
- Locating of the surgery center on the first floor for ease of patient access and discharge
- Orientation of patient care and recovery rooms toward pleasant views of the natural environment to encourage patient recovery
On the project team:
Owner and/or developer: Sutter Health
Design architect: Boulder Associates
Architect of record: Boulder Associates
MEP engineer: Southland Industries (mechanical, plumbing); Prime Electric (electric);
Structural engineer: Miyamoto
General contractor/construction manager: Skanska
![Sutter Health’s new Samaritan Court Ambulatory Care and Surgery Center finishes three months early, $3 million under budget](/sites/default/files/inline-images/23_PAMF_CC_Samaritan%20Care%20Center_2506%20Samaritan%20Court_002.jpeg)
![Sutter Health’s new Samaritan Court Ambulatory Care and Surgery Center finishes three months early, $3 million under budget](/sites/default/files/inline-images/SH-PAMF%20MOB-ASC_Samaritan%20Ct_San%20Jose_50.jpg)
Related Stories
Healthcare Facilities | Jun 13, 2022
University of Kansas Health System cancer care floors foster community and empathy
On three floors of Cambridge Tower A at The University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, patients being treated for blood cancers have a dedicated space that not only keeps them safe during immune system comprising treatments, but also provide feelings of comfort and compassion.
Sponsored | Healthcare Facilities | May 3, 2022
Planning for hospital campus access that works for people
This course defines the elements of hospital campus access that are essential to promoting the efficient, stress-free movement of patients, staff, family, and visitors. Campus access elements include signage and wayfinding, parking facilities, transportation demand management, shuttle buses, curb access, valet parking management, roadways, and pedestrian walkways.
Healthcare Facilities | Apr 19, 2022
6 trends to watch in healthcare design
As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, IMEG’s healthcare leaders from across the country are seeing several emerging trends that are poised to have wide-ranging impacts on facility design and construction. Following are six of the trends and strategies they expect to become more commonplace in 2022 and the years to come.
Healthcare Facilities | Apr 14, 2022
Healthcare construction veteran creates next-level IPD process for hospital projects
Can integrated project delivery work without incentives for building team members? Denton Wilson thinks so.
Market Data | Apr 14, 2022
FMI 2022 construction spending forecast: 7% growth despite economic turmoil
Growth will be offset by inflation, supply chain snarls, a shortage of workers, project delays, and economic turmoil caused by international events such as the Russia-Ukraine war.
Laboratories | Apr 7, 2022
North Carolina's latest play for biotech real estate development
The Tar Heel State is among a growing number of markets rolling out the welcome mat for lab spaces.
Healthcare Facilities | Apr 7, 2022
Visibility breeds traffic in healthcare design
Ryan Companies has completed several healthcare projects that gain exposure by being near retail stores or office buildings.
Healthcare Facilities | Mar 25, 2022
Health group converts bank building to drive-thru clinic
Edward-Elmhurst Health and JTS Architects had to get creative when turning an American Chartered Bank into a drive-thru clinic for outpatient testing and vaccinations.
Projects | Mar 21, 2022
BIG-designed Danish Neuroscience Center will combine groundbreaking science and treatment
A first-of-its-kind facility, a new Danish Neuroscience Center in Aarhus, Denmark designed by BIG, will combine psychiatry and neuroscience under one roof.
Projects | Mar 18, 2022
Toronto suburb to build the largest hospital in Canada
A new hospital in Ontario will nearly triple the care capacity of its existing facility—becoming the largest hospital in Canada.