Richard J. Lacks Cancer Center

Summary

Size:

172,000 SF

Type:

Cancer Hospitals

Definition:

New

Budget:

$32,000,000

Date Completed:

01/01/2005

Description

The most advanced medical facility will only be as effective as the electrical equipment that serves its patients and personnel. The award-winning Richard J. Lacks Sr. Cancer Center is West Michigan’s only dedicated cancer hospital and the first LEED-certified hospital in the state. From its surgical units to its patient recovery rooms; from the quiet, soul-sustaining chapel to the restorative rooftop garden, Allied Electric played an important role in making this state-of-the-art facility a dream come true.

Recalling Allied’s participation, project manager Paul Hansma describes healthcare work as “much more extensive” than more routine projects. “The wiring is much more intense, in that there are complete emergency systems throughout the facility, backed up by large emergency generators,” he explains. Also deviating from the norm are the presence of fountains and a rooftop garden, which features photovoltaic (solar) panels for illuminating granite and limestone statuary salvaged from the original turn-of-the-century building. “We’ve had a long-standing relationship with St. Mary’s Hospital,” notes Hansma. “We’ve worked steadily at the hospital since the late ’70s.” In addition to several major enterprises, Allied does a lot of the smaller “day-to-day projects” for St. Mary’s, Hansma says.