March 2017
Archer Western to Manage Renovation of Biocontainment Critical Care Unit
Archer Western has been selected to manage the phased renovation to convert The University of Texas Medical Branch’s (UTMB) emergency department into a biocontainment critical care unit. The space will be designed with appropriate technology and facility systems capable of isolation, redundancy and sustainable operations. The project will include architectural features and protocols typically required in Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) laboratories.
Upon completion, the biocontainment critical care unit will be able to admit and treat up to six patients diagnosed with or suspected of having a disease that poses extraordinary risk to the population, especially those diseases designated for quarantine by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Additionally, the scope includes the construction of a new mechanical penthouse on the roof of the emergency department. All work will be completed on the occupied medical campus and careful coordination is being planned to avoid disruption.