Pediatric Burn Unit patients at Torrance Memorial Medical Center recently teamed with workers from McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. to create mini renditions of the new hospital Patient Tower using Legos, and to mark the tower’s final concrete pour.
The event took place in view of the project site where construction of the medical center’s 398,350-sf patient tower is underway.
Among the patients participating was 5-year-old Robert Jones, who has been undergoing treatment for burn injuries at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. A former burn patient, Litzy Santos, 6, and her sister Karime also participated in the mini building project.
McCarthy workers joined the patients, donning construction gear and hard hats, to help with their building efforts. The workers invited the patients to give the command via two-way radio to complete the final concrete pour on the seventh-story deck—the top level of the new Patient Tower. McCarthy donated several sets of Legos to the Pediatric Unit to help keep young patients entertained during their hospitalization.
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is serving as general contractor for the $450 million Patient Tower project which is more than half-way finished. At its peak, there will be approximately 500 construction workers on site. The new hospital, which will replace Torrance Memorial’s original tower built in 1971, will feature the latest medical technologies, more beds and space and a modernized design. The seven-level Patient Tower will house 256 private rooms, 18 surgical and interventional treatment rooms as well as a basement with a central utility plant and a tunnel connecting the existing hospital to the new facility. The Burn Unit will relocate to the new Patient Tower once the new tower opens in spring 2015. +
Related Stories
Building Technology | Mar 8, 2019
What is your firm's innovation 'hit rate'?
As firms begin to adopt the practices and mindset of Silicon Valley tech and advanced manufacturing, it’s fair to ask: Are all of these innovation projects and initiatives working?
Architects | Mar 7, 2019
HED, Integrated Design Group to merge firms
ID has a strong reputation for data center design with locations in Boston in Dallas.
Architects | Mar 5, 2019
Arata Isozaki named 2019 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate
The Japanese architect, city planner, and theorist is known for his deep commitment to the “art of space” and transnational methodology.
Education Facilities | Feb 25, 2019
Fallingwater Institute’s summer residency programs have a new educational hub
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson designed the project.
Architects | Feb 14, 2019
Amazon will not build HQ2 in New York City
The tech giant walks away from a deal, succumbing to opposition over huge tax breaks.
Architects | Feb 12, 2019
The basics of building commissioning
As building system technology increases in complexity and sustainability remains at the forefront of design, the need for commissioning continues to rise. This is the first post in our series examining the basics, benefits and boundaries of building commissioning.
Architects | Jan 28, 2019
9 tech trends to track in 2019
Innovations in voice recognition, cognitive neuroscience, and biometrics are among the trending tech topics for 2019, according to CallisonRTKL's Kristin Tilley.
AEC Tech | Jan 9, 2019
Our robotic future: Assessing AI's impact on the AEC profession and the built environment
This is the first in a series by Lance Hosey, FAIA, on how automation is disrupting design and construction.
Architects | Dec 17, 2018
New toolkit helps architect achieve high-performance buildings
Architects can download a copy of the toolkit online.
Architects | Dec 13, 2018
Social media synergy: Revving up your AEC firm’s content engine
Design firms know that just having a website and a blog aren’t enough, but social media complicates how they communicate.