Charlottesville, VA
University of Virginia, University Hospital
Scope/Solutions
To serve its growing community, the University Hospital needed to expand. The University of Virginia (UVA) wanted to renovate the existing hospital and construct a new addition on the site of an adjacent, unused helipad. The project enlarges the emergency department, and adds operating areas, patient rooms, and other ancillary spaces. SGH consulted on the building enclosure design for the new addition.
SGH consulted on the design of below-grade waterproofing, above-grade exterior cavity walls with stone masonry, aluminum-framed curtain walls and skylights, and several roofing assemblies. Highlights of our work include the following:
- Preparing a narrative outlining performance expectations and comparing advantages and disadvantages to help the project team select building enclosure systems
- Performing hygrothermal and thermal analyses to evaluate moisture drive and heat flow through proposed wall assemblies
- Reviewing the proposed design and recommending ways to improve performance
- Consulting on the custom unitized curtain wall design, including detailing connections between the exterior glass, metal fins, and projections to help achieve UVA’s expectations for the system’s performance and appearance
- Developing details to integrate the various systems with each other and with the existing building
- Participating in UVA’s value management process for the building enclosure to help them evaluate performance and cost decisions
- Visiting the curtain wall facility to observe their manufacturing processes and witnessing performance testing of a curtain wall assembly mockup
- Providing construction phase services for the below-grade waterproofing, including reviewing contractor submittals and visiting the site to observe the installation
Project Summary
Solutions
New Construction
Services
Building Enclosures
Markets
Education | Health Care & Life Sciences
Client(s)
University of Virginia
Specialized Capabilities
Facades & Glazing | Roofing & Waterproofing
Key team members
Additional Projects
Mid-Atlantic
Duke Ellington School of the Arts
The original 1898 building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the subsequent additions were no longer adequate to meet the school’s mission. SGH evaluated the historic building components to remain and consulted on the design of new building enclosure systems.
Mid-Atlantic
George Mason University, Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study
The Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study is a neuroscience research facility on George Mason University campus. SGH provided structural design and building enclosure consulting services for the three-story building addition.



