When Compass Hospice in Centreville, MD needed to expand their facility, install a new commercial kitchen, and install a new HVAC system while remaining operational and occupied, they turned Harper & Sons, Inc to accomplish this challenging renovation and expansion.
The design program for this complex Renovation/Addition included the expansion of the existing Hospice facility from a 6-suite facility to 10-suites with the installation of a new main entrance, new commercial kitchen, geo-thermal HVAC system, expanded laundry facility, expanded storage and staging areas, additional family support rooms, additional nursing support areas, and storage for clean and soiled supplies, and many other patient and client amenities.
The Project consisted of constructing four additions, with renovations, and included selective demolition of existing interior partitions, exterior walls, finishes, fixtures, mechanical systems, electrical systems, plumbing systems and complete roofing replacement.
The limited site area and access to the building required careful coordination of the new geothermal well field, parking lot, and utilities to maintain the use of the building. Harper & Sons self-performed much of the sitework to provide maximum flexibility with the owner’s schedule.
The building expansion entailed the addition of new wings attached to the residential-styled Hospice structure, with unique challenges. The project required the new main entrance and reception area, new generator, propane tanks, and new roof to be installed without halting the Hospice operations. The medical gas system, geothermal HVAC, and upgraded IT and electrical systems had to be carefully coordinated with the wood-framed residential framing style, while maintaining commercial fire-resistance and building codes.
The continuous operation of the Hospice facility throughout the entire construction period was critical to the success of the project and required significant coordination of Harper & Sons and Hospice staff to ensure safe access and operations. A unique condition of the project required the facility to maintain no less than five operational guest suites during the construction period. The project was divided into 3 phases initially, but with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic during the first phase, Harper & Sons worked closely with the owner and architect to create 5 phases to accommodate the staff’s use of the building.
The Hospice operations are governed by State standards which required continuous electric, HVAC, water, sanitary, cooking, bathing, laundry services, and backup power generation. Therefore, all utility or service interruptions were carefully coordinated and scheduled with Hospice staff, and kept to shortest durations possible.
Remarkably, the project was completed with the full scope of work during one of the most challenging periods in the construction industry -with wide-spread disruptions that accompanied the COVID pandemic – with less than 1% increase in the contract budget.
Services: Multi-phased Renovations & Additions to Owner-Occupied facility
Quick Notes
- Location: Centreville, MD
- Additions SF: 2,462
- Renovations SF: 12,208
- Design: Hammond Wilson Architects
