Chapman Construction oversees construction of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital expansion

Woburn, MA Chapman Construction/Design (Chapman), has completed occupied renovations to Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of New England’s facility, converting a basement-level administrative space into a garden-level patient unit with 14 private patient rooms and other upgrades. The project was completed in accordance with the standards of The Contractor’s Commitment, which employs sustainable best practices for construction along with worker and occupant health. 

Located within an occupied rehabilitation hospital, Chapman and design partner Perkins & Will worked with Encompass Health facilities team and leadership group in Birmingham, Alabama to devise a plan for scheduling, infection control and supply chain coordination to ensure timely completion of the converted space. In addition, the 22,315 s/f project was turned over in phases to minimize impact to Encompass Health staff, who were temporarily relocated to available swing space throughout construction. 

A significant portion of the renovations included upgrades to the existing M/E/P systems. A 42-zone VRF system was utilized, and Chapman’s project team also oversaw coordination and installation of a new medical gas system and manifold, along with other vital medical equipment. 

Because the new rooms provide access for admissions and discharges and are designed to support higher risk patients, it was essential for Chapman to work closely with a variety of specialized teams at Encompass Health, ranging from IT professionals to supply chain personnel. The finished spaces incorporate a high degree of technology, including Encompass Health’s Reducing Acute Care Transfers (ReACT) unit, which utilizes data from its electronic medical records system to monitor changes in patient health in real time. 

In addition to 14 patient rooms – three of which were outfitted for dialysis purposes – Chapman also oversaw the construction of a therapy gym, day rooms, nurses’ stations, training areas and general office space. Other features of the project include an exterior mobility courtyard dedicated to patient rehabilitation and facade improvements incorporating DAFS cladding. 

In utilizing The Contractor’s Commitment on this project, Chapman focused on improving the day-to-day work environment on the jobsite. Aspects of this approach include tracking carbon reduction, limiting water usage, providing healthy snacks for jobsite workers and sourcing building products that prioritize occupant health, such as low-VOC materials. 

“We strive to offer our patients best-in-class rehabilitation services, and these upgrades to our hospital allow us to deliver that experience along with superior levels of acute care,” said David Coggins, CEO of Encompass Health New England. “We are grateful for Chapman’s leadership on this project.”