Case Study: UCHealth Anschutz Inpatient Pavilion III

Building the Future of Healthcare

Introduction

UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital’s Anschutz Inpatient Pavilion III (AIP III) is a transformative expansion that enhances patient care, surgical capacity, and emergency services in metro Denver. This 12-story, $286 million facility on the west side of the existing hospital introduces 215 private inpatient rooms, 10 state-of-the-art operating rooms, and expanded emergency care, all designed to support one of the region’s busiest Level 1 trauma centers.

The project was uniquely complex—constructed adjacent to a fully operational hospital at capacity during a global pandemic. Haselden Construction, alongside its partners, successfully delivered a world-class medical facility while ensuring minimal disruption to patient care. With cutting-edge prefabrication techniques, innovative structural solutions, and a deep commitment to sustainability and safety, AIP III sets a new benchmark for hospital construction in the Mountain West.

Project Features

AIP III was designed to integrate multiple critical medical functions, including emergency, surgical, critical care, acute care, and behavioral health services. Given limited land availability, the team implemented a complex two-story steel truss system to support eight floors of patient rooms while preserving a 160-by-130-foot ambulance drop-off area below—an essential feature for the Level 1 trauma center.

The tower was designed to meet future healthcare demands and includes three medical-surgical floors, two critical care floors, a behavioral health unit, a surgical services floor, and a basement for essential hospital support services. Haselden strategically incorporated shell space for future growth, reinforcing UCHealth’s commitment to adaptable, long-term healthcare solutions. The project also leveraged prefabrication, with 132 patient bathrooms, headwalls, and unitized curtain wall systems constructed off-site and lifted into place, reducing on-site labor and expediting the schedule.

Challenges Overcome

Constructing a major hospital expansion while maintaining full operations required a meticulous balance of speed, precision, and safety. Early in the project, the team had to relocate and expand portions of the emergency department without disrupting its lifesaving functions. Close collaboration with UCHealth ensured a seamless transition while maintaining uninterrupted trauma care.

The structural complexity of the design also presented significant engineering challenges. The two-story steel truss system—necessary to achieve the column-free ambulance bay—required innovative sequencing and temporary supports to ensure stability. Additionally, the project faced supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly with aluminum backorders for the curtain wall. The team adapted by sequencing construction from the inside out, leaving eight-foot gaps at the edges of each floor until the curtain wall materials arrived, preventing delays and maintaining the project schedule.

Excellence in Project Management

Haselden’s proactive project management approach played a pivotal role in delivering AIP III efficiently. Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Robotic Total Station technology enabled the precise coordination of 2,000 Requests for Information (RFIs), ensuring the accurate placement of underground utilities, medical equipment, and prefabricated components.

Prefabrication efforts significantly streamlined construction. The team saved approximately three months in on-site work by assembling key elements such as patient bathrooms, headwalls, and overhead corridor racks off-site. This not only improved efficiency but also minimized disruption to hospital operations. Furthermore, a just-in-time delivery strategy kept the site organized and safe, reducing on-site material storage and maintaining clear access for hospital patients and staff.

Safety and Environmental Stewardship

Safety was paramount in a project that operated within the constraints of an active hospital, especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Haselden implemented strict infection control measures, including specialized exhaust fans, negative air machines, and modified airflow systems to ensure construction debris did not enter sterile medical environments. The team developed a unique system to create negative pressure in 120 rooms, future-proofing the hospital for pandemic and isolation needs.

The team also implemented rigorous COVID-19 protocols, tracking employees for potential exposures and maintaining a safe working environment without a single project shutdown due to outbreaks. Coordination with the hospital’s helipad and trauma teams ensured seamless communication, allowing crane operations to pause immediately when life flights arrived.

The project exceeded energy efficiency benchmarks on the sustainability front by implementing a hydronic heating and cooling system that reduced steam heating needs and carbon emissions by 90%, offsetting approximately 2,500 tons of CO2 annually. Thoughtful facade design and daylighting strategies further reduced energy consumption, ensuring long-term environmental benefits.

Community Impact

AIP III is more than an expansion—it is a vital investment in the community’s health and well-being. As the COVID-19 pandemic intensified, the construction team rapidly adapted to the crisis by erecting temporary treatment tents outside the hospital, providing power and technology to support overflow patients. These efforts gained national recognition and showcased the construction team’s role as essential workers during a historic public health emergency.

Recognizing the increasing demand for mental health services, UCHealth decided mid-project to convert the sixth-floor shell space into a 42-bed behavioral health unit. Haselden worked closely with designers and medical professionals to implement anti-ligature features, tamper-resistant equipment, and an innovative sound system that improves patient experience without compromising safety. This addition reflects the hospital’s commitment to addressing the mental health crisis with state-of-the-art care.

Beyond its direct healthcare impact, the project contributed to workforce development by engaging local trade partners and hosting educational tours for students considering careers in construction. Initiatives like the Transportation & Construction Girl’s annual education day provided young women with hands-on industry exposure, further strengthening community ties.

Conclusion

UCHealth Anschutz Inpatient Pavilion III represents a landmark achievement in healthcare construction, balancing innovation, safety, and sustainability to meet the growing needs of the Denver metro area. Haselden Construction successfully delivered a world-class facility that will serve patients for decades through creative problem-solving, advanced project management techniques, and a deep commitment to collaboration.

Senior Director Catherine Reeves praised the project: “The leadership and staff are ecstatic with the new space. We would not be here without Haselden’s tireless efforts. I can’t thank you enough for your continued support and partnership.”

From navigating pandemic-related challenges to integrating groundbreaking structural solutions, AIP III is a testament to teamwork and innovation in modern healthcare construction. Haselden Construction is proud to have shaped the future of UCHealth and the broader Colorado community.