Construction of CDC Port Health Station at Detroit Metropolitan Airport
Detroit
Merit Award
Presented by RS&H Inc.
Owner: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Wayne County Airport Authority
Main design company: RS&H Inc.
General contractor: LaSalle Construction Services
MEP Engineer: DiClemente Siegel Design Inc.
As part of an effort to improve CDC’s ability to monitor and respond to international health issues, an existing building on the air side was transformed into a facility that combines precision engineering with thoughtful design. This state-of-the-art facility was completed on schedule in April 2025.
The station includes advanced assessment areas, emergency call systems and flexible spaces for passenger assessment. In support of these spaces are specialized areas for donning and removing personal protective equipment. Antimicrobial finishes and careful selection of materials balanced the project’s focus on safety and aesthetics.
Given the project’s secure airfield location and limited footprint, the team had to carefully navigate utility relocations and coordination among the airport’s multiple stakeholders. To meet the facility’s strict acoustic separation requirements, the team used advanced partition systems that maintained sound insulation without compromising space constraints.
To optimize the use of space in a limited footprint, the design team used creative designs for specialized areas such as assessment rooms and PPE donning and doffing spaces. Streamlining construction in a secure airport area also required efficient logistics workflows. Deliveries and material movement were carefully planned along secure routes, minimizing disruption to airport operations and complying with security protocols.
