Orlando, Fla. – The RLF-designed Weed Army Community Hospital at Ft. Irwin, California has earned the Honor Award for Conceptual Design from the 2012 Chief of Engineers Awards of Excellence Program. The prestigious recognition demonstrates excellence in design, community engagement, employee involvement, and innovation. The project was among one of six awarded in the design category of the national competition.
Located deep within the Mojave Desert, the 215,000-sq.-ft. acute-care hospital combines modern healthcare tenets, including evidence-based principles and practices, along with regenerative healing elements and a restorative building aesthetic to create a “medical oasis” for the Ft. Irwin community.
Jurors took special note of the project’s emphasis on sustainability commenting “by aiming for net-zero energy use, a noteworthy, if not remarkable achievement on any project – let alone a hospital – this project seeks to break the past stereotypes in medical design of reliance on energy and natural resources.” The facility stands to become the nation’s first net-zero, carbon-neutral hospital generating all of its energy needs from solar power and renewable energy systems. In addition, the project is expected to receive Platinum status under the US Green Building Council’s LEED BD+C rating system.
The project was also recognized for the project team’s ability to work collaboratively and efficiently to expedite the feedback process. Combined with the use of building information modeling software platforms, this approach enabled the team to complete design on an accelerated timeline of less than 18 months, about 40 percent of the time a project of this nature typically takes.
By incorporating the best practices of premier health facilities throughout the country, implementing targeted sustainability measures to reach significant milestones for healthcare design, and working collaboratively among military healthcare professionals in a tight, streamlined approach, the design of the Weed Army Community Hospital stands as a substantial accomplishment for military healthcare.
About The Chief of Engineers Awards of Excellence Program
Now in its 46th year, the Chief of Engineers Awards of Excellence Program recognizes some of the most innovative projects accomplished by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ASACE) teammates and the private sector design and construction community around the world. In addition to design, the award program emphasizes innovation and leadership in environment, energy and sustainability.
About RLF
Founded in 1935, RLF is an architectural, engineering and interior design firm located in Orlando, Fla. With a staff of 90 design professionals, RLF provides client-focused services on major projects in the healthcare, education and federal markets. RLF is the proud recipient of the 2010 AIA Florida Firm of the Year. For more information, visit www.rlfarchitects.com.