Holt Construction, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers complete temporary hospital in two weeks

A new temporary medical facility, comprising two fully-equipped tents, was completed in just two weeks at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center (BNBMC) in Paramus, N.J. The project was built by Holt Construction, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and FEMA.

The hospital is a first of its kind for Army Corps temporary facility construction standards and will serve as a treatment facility for acute, non-COVID related patients due to the influx of COVID-positive patients in the main building. Located in a large parking lot adjacent to BNBMC's main building, the temporary hospital will serve an additional 100 patients in total.

BNBMC temporary hospital hallway and patient bays

Each tent includes 50 patient beds as well as an admissions bay, nurse stations, six bathrooms with showers, hospital staff nourishment and support areas, a nurse call system in each patient room, medical gas storage, medicine storage, and soiled holding. Life safety provisions, such as fire alarm, sprinkler, fire extinguishers, and other life-safety systems, were also installed. Plumbing and sprinkler were run from the main building to the lot and new incoming primary power with a stepdown transformer was provided to power the two tents.

The tents were constructed by over 80 carpenters, 20 electricians, and 20 plumbers working in three shifts around the clock. Social distancing was enforced at all times and all personnel were equipped with N95 face masks, face shields, gloves, and goggles. Additionally, sanitation stations were set up for use upon entering and exiting the site.

BNBMC temporary hospital interior

BNBMC temporary hospital exterior power

BNBMC Temporary Hospital covered entrance

Rural hospitals present unique opportunities and challenges for healthcare facility operators. Oftentimes, the infrastructure and building systems have not been updated for years and require significant improvements in order to meet today’s modern medical demands. Additionally, as these smaller, more remote hospitals are acquired by larger regional and national healthcare systems, the first step by new ownership is often to update and rehabilitate the building. But how can this be done thoughtfully, economically, and efficiently in ways that allow the engineering and facility staff to adapt to the changes? And how can the updates accurately reflect the specific needs of rural communities and the afflictions with which these areas most commonly face?

Healthcare Facilities | Dec 7, 2021

Wheeler Kearns Architects completes Howard Brown Health’s Broadway Youth Center in Chicago

The new facility will provide medical and social service programs to LGBTQI+ youth.

Healthcare Facilities | Nov 23, 2021

Why vertical hospitals might be the next frontier in healthcare design

In this article, we’ll explore the opportunities and challenges of high-rise hospital design, as well as the main ideas and themes we considered when designing the new medical facility for the heart of London.

Healthcare Facilities | Nov 12, 2021

Centro Hospitalario Serena Del Mar is Safdie Architects’ first project in Latin America

The hospital project is characterized by its connectivity to nature.

Healthcare Facilities | Nov 2, 2021

Key design considerations for designing the smart patient room

The complete patient experience encompasses the journey to the hospital, the care experience, and the trip back home. All these touchpoints come with an expectation.

Pictured: Boulder Community Health’s West Medical Building, Lafayette, Colo. Photo: 2020 Caleb Tkach

Cladding and Facade Systems | Oct 26, 2021

14 projects recognized by DOE for high-performance building envelope design

The inaugural class of DOE’s Better Buildings Building Envelope Campaign includes a medical office building that uses hybrid vacuum-insulated glass and a net-zero concrete-and-timber community center.