A new report, "Prefabrication: Benefits & Drivers for Successful Implementation," includes findings of how prefabricated components of the new Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver improved the project's overall schedule, cost, quality, sustainability and safety, according to an article on the Digital Journal website.
Construction of the new $623 million, 831,000-square-foot facility is scheduled to be completed in July — nearly 2.5 months earlier than normal — thanks in part to prefabrication.
Construction included 166 multi-trade prefabricated utility rack systems; 346 exterior wall panels; 440 bathroom pods; and 376 patient room headwalls.
In recent years, the use of prefabrication versus site-built building components has gained attention in the construction industry, the article said. The shift in strategy can be attributed to Building Information Modeling (BIM) and new project delivery methods such as Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and project management practices like Lean construction.