UTSW Simmons Brain and Cancer Center

A significant undertaking for UTSW, several changes were made to the project design prior to completion which necessitated a phased construction approach. The owner requested that some floors be open before others, a challenge that required precise and thorough testing of each space once complete. Our team of commissioning and verification controls specialists were on site, working directly with the rest of the project team, to test the equipment and systems that served each floor. Some equipment, like the custom building’s air handling unit (AHU) system and supply and exhaust air terminal units, serves multiple floors and required multiple tests from our team to confirm operational accuracy. The facility features several unique spaces including laboratories and a vivarium, therefore the precision and reliability of supporting equipment was essential.  

The owner was also concerned about the joint commission documentation for this project. Our in-house joint commission specialist utilized his knowledge from providing similar services for completed hospital projects to be an essential resource to UTSW. Our team worked directly with UTSW to list the documents and requirements to keep track of. Together the specialists organized and monitored the status of each document throughout the life of the project.  

In support of UTSW, we also coordinated with separate construction managers on the demolition of the on-site parking, construction of the overall site development, and construction of the research and clinical building and site improvements. The project also encompassed an on-site parking garage and Thermal Energy Plant / support services building that were constructed concurrently.  

As an advocate to UTSW, we were on-site daily, for several months, working directly with the construction team to meet project schedule goals. Even after substantial completion, our team continued to provide in-person support for the owner in the resolution of unexpected challenges. We continued to maintain a level of skill and quality during and after completion in our level of service, to support UTSW in completing a fully functional facility that accommodates the work of its researchers and clinicians.   

The new Brain and Cancer Center provides support space for the growing academic and clinical Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center to develop into an internationally recognized brain institute and establish new research programs and advanced technology. Our team was happy to be an advocate for the successful completion of this facility, which will have a great impact on the patients and communities served by UTSW.