The design and construction team of Clark Construction Group and SmithGroup + HKS Joint Venture broke ground in August on the El Paso VA Health Care Center at Fort Bliss, Texas. The six-story, 492,000-square-foot ambulatory care facility, on the William Beaumont Army Medical Center campus, is expected to be completed in 2028.
The design team aims to embrace El Paso’s natural landscape with materials such as rock, stone and textured precast concrete. The orientation of the building offers views of the mountains, especially from the reception and waiting areas on four clinical floors. “Not only did we want to create a place that honored and served veterans, but also one that felt like it could only belong here and serve the El Paso community,” says Brent Willson, HKS’ director of federal health.
3%
Unemployment rate in the construction sector in August
Source: Office of Labor Statistics
Audiology, prosthetics and rehabilitation of traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries have a dedicated space on the second level. Patient-aligned care team clinics are located on the third floor. Level four includes a dental suite, eye clinic and surgical care with specialist ambulatory care on the fifth floor. The sixth floor penthouse has a north-facing outdoor staff terrace, administration space and mechanical systems. The lower basement level contains later functions of the house.
The facility will have a centralized entrance canopy on the north facade. Public amenities include an 18,000 m² healing garden, 6,500 m² outdoor café and a 5,000 m² shaded plaza. Photovoltaic installations are planned for parking areas. Aiming to reduce energy by 30% compared to current building codes, the new center is designed to exceed LEED Silver certification.
