The new venue will occupy more than 972,000 square feet and serve more than 150,000 people. Image source: SmithGroup

Louisville, Kentucky — SmithGroup, a leading integrated design company, and AECOM, a well-established infrastructure consulting company, recently celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for the new VA Medical Center in Louisville.

These companies, along with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), commemorated this milestone in the Louisville area. The new medical center covers more than 972,000 square feet and costs US$840 million. It will replace the existing Robley Rex VA Medical Center.

The Louisville VA Medical Center will serve more than 150,000 people in Kentucky and southern Indiana, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to expand access to primary care, specialty, surgery, and mental health services by integrating inpatient and outpatient services. The 34-acre campus includes two parking lots, a central public facility and other facilities. Louisville VA Medical Center is expected to be completed in 2026.

"The design of the new medical center represents a glorious journey of healing," said Cindy Pozolo, project manager at SmithGroup and head of the company's Detroit office. "Landscape and architecture echo the strength and courage of the people who serve our country."

The new Louisville VA Medical Center was previously recognized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) School of Healthy Architecture (AAH) and the Michigan Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for its outstanding design. The architecture of the new medical center incorporates attention to sustainability, the relationship with nature, and the inherent symbolism of military life.

The facade of the medical center uses a vertical pattern of metal plates and curtain walls inspired by the colorful royal power of military ribbons, while the horizontal stripes reference similar layers of natural limestone found in the surrounding hills of Kentucky. The hall and garden are divided into four areas, representing milestones in service for veterans: join, contact, honor, and thanks. The parking structure is shielded with copper-colored arcuate wire mesh panels, which form a perforated screen printed with a patriotic theme.

“It’s an honor to celebrate this breakthrough on Veterans’ Day. AECOM’s project manager and head of the Columbus office, Randy Kirschner, said: “Our entire design team recognizes that working in this state-of-the-art healthcare facility is a kind of pleasure. "We are very proud to be able to support VA and USACE through integrated architecture and engineering services to help provide a new medical center, which will bring lasting benefits to our veterans in the coming years. "

The design of the Louisville VA Medical Center complies with the government's sustainable federal building guidelines. It will include a large photovoltaic array that can generate part of the center's electrical energy, a green roof, reduce water consumption and optimize energy performance. Biophilic design weaves architecture and landscape together, emphasizing the importance of nature for health and wellness. The main elements include terraces, ample green spaces, contemplative courtyards, and a linear garden spanning the length of the center, connected to a well-lit indoor hall, which connects a series of spaces for education, ceremonies, dining and dining. respite.

SmithGroup served as the chief design architect, and AECOM as the chief engineer. The joint venture company worked closely in the design phase to provide project management, architecture, interior architecture, medical planning, landscape architecture, and civil, structural and electromechanical engineering, and will continue to provide throughout the construction period service.

The URS/SmithGroup joint venture was established in 2007 to provide integrated design services for the Louisville VA Medical Center project. AECOM acquired URS in 2014.