IMEG provided structural, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and technology engineering design services, along with energy modeling, acoustics, and WELL consultation, for the new 39,800-sf SSM Health Dean Medical Group clinic in Beaver Dam, WI. The new clinic will be the first WELL certified medical clinic and includes procedure and exam rooms, conference rooms and center, nurse stations, limited imaging, and a retail pharmacy.

IMEG worked closely with the team and owner to address and implement solutions to achieve the 10 concepts in WELL V2 certification, which include air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind, and community.

Engineers also provided sustainability efforts to match LEED concepts, but the owner did not pursue LEED certification. IMEG is also conducting sustainability commissioning under a separate contract through the commissioning team.

IMEG worked closely with SSM leadership and the architect to improve employee and patient quality of life within the clinic. Daylight harvesting, additional natural light, dimmable lighting, air quality, water quality, and accessibility were all key directives for this project. Planning also required the design team to look ahead at possible expansions in the future and provide specialty connections at the exterior of the building for the possibility of MRI trucks or other imaging trucks to dock and provide day imaging services. The design’s sustainability features included 50kW electrical power and solar power panels that add a small contribution of green power. The expected energy savings is 18.6%.

The design also included an integrated lighting control system for visual comfort and flexibility while adhering or meeting energy code requirements. IMEG also added UPS to the design so the users would not lose any documentation during an outage and can reschedule appointments and maintain basic operations during the power outage. Cost effective packaged rooftop equipment with decoupled energy recovery units and high efficiency condensing boilers with low temperature heating water system included perimeter radiation for user comfort.

Due to square footage requirements and space constraints, the main and emergency electrical rooms had to be coordinated extensively during design and construction with the contractor to ensure all equipment would fit and still allow some form of expansion capabilities for future additions.

IMEG met the needs of the client by adding extra meeting efforts and focused team members. A pushed construction schedule also brought a CM on board during design early, so IMEG worked directly with them to refine design during the CD process to help work towards a seamless transition into construction and manage cost. IMEG assisted with subcontractor interviews to ensure an understanding of design and project goals. IMEG worked directly and assisted in subcontractor interviews, and worked directly with the CM and subcontractors to vet cost control options and steer the final CD deliverable into a design that met the clients budget and schedule and expectations.