VA Loma Linda Ambulatory Care Center
Kimley-Horn served as lead design consultant provided surveying, entitlement support and all site civil, parking, and traffic engineering services for the new three-story, 345,000-square-foot VA Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) in Loma Linda, California.
Overview
In an effort to keep up with a rapidly increasing demand, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has sought out new and innovative techniques to improve veterans’ access to quality healthcare. The new Loma Linda Ambulatory Care Center is one of the first design-build public-private partnerships undertaken by the VA. This unconventional delivery method required seamless coordination with the VA and among the design-build team.
The U.S. veteran healthcare facility is set to provide nearly 50 percent of the VA Loma Linda’s outpatient services including clinical and non-clinical functions. As part of the design-build team, Kimley-Horn’s civil engineering services included the development of a detailed grading and drainage plan for the 37-acre site, utility plans, site storm water management and erosion control, as well as a concrete parking lot and layout for more than 2,000 cars. Our work included civil engineering, traffic engineering, development of construction documents, and construction support services.
Long-Lasting Sustainability
The ACC implements a thoughtful design that raises the standard of care for its 67,000 patients, improves the community, and utilizes innovative cost-savings measures, all while emphasizing sustainable technology that minimizes the ACC’s environmental footprint. Beautiful courtyards, an unobstructed view of the mountains, outdoor play areas, and a 5.5-acre linear park area were incorporated into the site design to benefit patients, visitors, and the community as a whole. The building was designed to take advantage of natural light during the day and capture the cool temperatures in the evening, saving on energy costs while improving ambiance.
Notable sustainable project features include a Low-Impact Development (LID) approach to mitigate site drainage impacts and an innovative approach to erosion control and storm water pollution prevention that is made to be as “net zero” friendly to the sensitive environment as possible. The 2,000 car parking lot was poured in concrete rather than asphalt to reduce solar heat and provide increased durability. Kimley-Horn helped the sustainability-conscious project achieve LEED Silver status in healthcare.
Accommodating Multiple Modes of Transportation
The on-site circulation system was developed to handle multiple modes of transportation including bicycle, pedestrian, vehicular, and motorcycle. Additionally, pedestrian corridors were designed throughout the site to enhance pedestrian circulation within the site and between the site and neighboring community. The parking layout affords optimal vehicular access and safety.
With its cutting edge technology and innovative design, the ACC is poised to stand as a new model of healthcare standards in the VA system.
Project Recognition
- LEED Silver; U.S. Green Building Council
- Healthcare Design Magazine
- 2017 Engineering Excellence Merit Award; ACEC CA