Proj Overview

Project Overview

The Methodist Women’s Hospital highlights how the look of masonry can be replicated or even enhanced with thin-brick precast construction without having to deal with the challenges of weather and mason availability typically associated with field-laid masonry. Serving as a canvas to allow architects to stretch the limits of design, the embedded thin-brick on the precast panels for this hospital and medical office feature darker colored bricks in the reveal areas to produce shadow effects.
A stack bond pattern was used to lessen the impact of the vertical joints between panels. The intricate, embedded thin brick reveals required precision during the manufacturing process. Corner and edge cap bricks are located around the recesses to create the dramatic reveal effect without exposing the concrete. Plane changes in several panels provide transitions from the buff panels to projected thin brick facing.

Precast Solution

This 443,000 square feet building used 425 8-inch thick precast cladding pieces in the hospital. The office space used 331 7-inch thick cladding pieces. The use of thin brick panels provided a clean look without through-wall flashing or weep holes.

 

Awards_
2011 PCI Design AwardsBuilding Award: Best Healthcare Facility, Co-winner
Project Team

Architect

HDR Inc., Omaha, Neb.

Engineer

HDR Inc., Omaha, Neb.

Contractor

MCL Construction, Omaha, Neb.

Owner

Methodist Health System

Precaster

Coreslab Structures (OMAHA) Inc., LaPlatte, Neb.

Precast Specialty Engineer

Coreslab Structures (OMAHA) Inc., LaPlatte, Neb.

Key Project Attributes

  • Thin brick panels used instead of masonry
  • Stack bond pattern used to lessen the impact of the vertical joints between panels

Project/Precast Scope

  • Area: 443,000 square feet
  • 8 stories high
  • Includes 425 8 inch thick precast cladding pieces
  • Office building includes 331 7 inch thick precast cladding pieces