Healthcare leaders are under constant pressure to do more with the facilities they already have. Staffing shortages, aging infrastructure, advancing technology and capital constraints all compete for attention. Yet many operational challenges—from maintenance costs to occupant comfort and system reliability—can be traced back to facility performance. 

At McCownGordon, we believe construction should do more than deliver a finished building. It should improve how a facility functions for the people who depend on it every day. That is why we developed our in-house Building Performance Solutions team—a group of specialists focused on helping healthcare organizations make informed decisions during design and construction while improving long-term building performance. 

Bridging the Gap Between Construction and Operations

Many construction teams focus on delivering a project on time and within budget. While those outcomes matter, healthcare organizations must also consider what happens after turnover. 

• Will systems operate as expected under real clinical loads? 
• Will facilities teams be able to maintain them efficiently? 
• Will future renovations be easier—or more complicated and costly? 

Our Building Performance Solutions team helps answer these questions early by bringing specialized expertise into the planning and construction process. The team includes professionals focused on: 

• Mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems 
• Structural engineering and soils analysis 
• Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) 
• Building commissioning 
• Quality assurance and quality control 
• Sustainability and long-term performance planning 

Together, they provide owners with a deeper level of technical review and accountability throughout the project lifecycle. 

Turning Design Decisions into Long-Term Value

In healthcare environments, seemingly small decisions can have lasting consequences. 

For example, selecting an HVAC system based solely on first cost may increase maintenance demands, energy consumption or future replacement costs. McCownGordon’s Building Performance Solutions team evaluates systems from multiple perspectives, helping owners balance construction costs with long-term performance and operational efficiency.  

This approach helps healthcare organizations: 

• Understand lifecycle costs before construction begins 
• Improve maintainability for facility teams 
• Reduce operational risk 
• Support future flexibility as care models evolve 

Rather than reacting to challenges later, healthcare leaders can make informed decisions when they have the greatest ability to influence outcomes.  

Reducing Risk in Active Healthcare Environments

Healthcare construction rarely occurs in isolated environments. Many projects take place adjacent to patient care, inside occupied facilities or while critical systems remain operational. In these environments, the cost of an unexpected disruption extends far beyond construction—it can impact staff, patients and daily clinical operations. 

CASE STUDY: 

During a recent project at Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph, McCownGordon replaced a large air handling unit serving an active emergency department during the peak of summer. Through early analysis and coordination, Building Performance Solutions helped the on-site team understand how the space would respond without conditioned air, identify downstream impacts to other building systems and provide real-time technical guidance throughout the process. The result was a successful replacement without disrupting emergency department operations.  

This proactive approach helps healthcare organizations:

• Reduce risk to ongoing patient care and clinical operations 
• Minimize unforeseen conditions during construction 
• Improve building performance and long-term durability 
• Accelerate decision-making through direct access to technical experts 

Confidence at Turnover—and Beyond

A facility is only successful if it performs as intended after occupancy. That is why commissioning is a core component of Building Performance Solutions. McCownGordon’s commissioning specialists verify that building systems are operate as designed before staff and patients move in, helping ensure operational readiness from day one. 

CASE STUDY: 

The value of this process was demonstrated at the AdventHealth Medical Office Building, where McCownGordon’s commissioning team identified 30 system issues before occupancy, helping the owner avoid an estimated $40,000 to $60,000 in corrective work. Those findings included controls, lighting and water heating system issues that could have otherwise surfaced after turnover. 

Building Performance Solutions gives healthcare owners access to specialized expertise that traditionally sits outside a contractor’s core team. By integrating those resources throughout design, construction and commissioning, McCownGordon helps healthcare facilities operate better over the long term—not just on opening day.  

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