The New Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital

On August 3rd, 2024, a significant milestone was achieved with the opening of the new Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. This state-of-the-art facility, formerly known as SCL, was designed and constructed through a joint venture between Barton Malow and Haselden Construction and now stands as a beacon of innovation and patient-centered care for Jefferson County and beyond.

Building a Hospital of the Future

For more than 100 years, the original Lutheran Medical Center provided essential healthcare services to the Wheat Ridge community. As demand for modern, efficient medical care grew, so did the vision for a new facility that would meet both current and future healthcare needs. The result: a stunning six-story, 666,000-square-foot hospital on a 27-acre campus.

A Focus on Patient and Family Comfort

The new Lutheran Hospital was built with patients and their families at the forefront. The new hospital boasts over 230 private patient rooms, including 176 universal beds, 16 observation-specific beds, 19 postpartum beds, 12 NICU beds, 10 operating rooms on one floor, and two C-Section operating rooms. Natural light is featured throughout, including floor-to-ceiling glass in patient rooms. The facility also now hosts a full-service cafeteria and a centrally located atrium, prioritizing comfort and peace for patients and their families.

As healthcare continues to evolve, so does the layout of hospitals. The lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the design of this facility, allowing for more efficient workflows and flexibility. The hospital’s layout reduces the required steps between critical functions and allows more rooms to be easily converted to ICU status if needed.

Collaboration and Innovation: A Joint Venture Success

Barton Malow and Haselden Construction brought together a highly collaborative team, guided by Lean principles and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) methodologies. “Throughout the Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital project, our teams exemplified the power of collaboration and a shared vision,” said Byron Haselden, CEO and President of Haselden Construction. By employing a “Big Room” approach—where stakeholders communicate in real-time and under one roof—the project saw enhanced coordination and problem-solving at every stage.

To ensure seamless progress, six weekly focus groups were established, each targeting different aspects of the project, from structure and enclosure to prefabrication. This structured approach allowed the team to stay on track, address challenges early, and maintain reliability in both schedule and budget.

Building Healthcare for Tomorrow

The opening of the new Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital marks a monumental achievement in healthcare construction and design. With a facility built to serve Jefferson County’s growing needs, Barton Malow and Haselden Construction are proud to have played a key role in delivering this next-generation hospital to the community. The journey, from concept to completion, highlights the power of teamwork, innovation, and a shared commitment to bettering lives through exceptional healthcare infrastructure.

As we celebrate this achievement, we look forward to continuing our legacy of building healthcare facilities that focus on the future—because, at Haselden Construction, we believe that building tomorrow starts today.

Video Credit: Barton Malow