Our Projects

Palo Alto Ambulatory Care Center

Client : VA Palo Alto Healthcare System

This project required the Awen Solutions Group to improve an existing design for the Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) to meet the latest program and design guidelines, while reducing the project building size and construction cost. Awen reorganized the ACC outpatient diagnostic and treatment facility to comply with the PACT Space Module concept and meet the desired program target using 30,000 SF less space.

Awen, in partnership with Nichols, Melburg & Rossetto Architects and MEI Architects, prepared multiple design options for evaluation, working iteratively with our clients to adapt the programmatic template to the site.  Ultimately, these solutions were so successful for Primary Care Clinics and Specialty Clinics, Awen’s designs are now the prototype VA PACT Space Module design guidelines for future VA ambulatory facilities.

Palo Alto Master Planning Study (Building 100)

Client : VA Palo Alto Healthcare System

Awen returned to Palo Alto to carry out a Master Planning Study for the basement of Building 100 and adjacent Radiology Building, integrating advanced medical imaging equipment into both a complex existing program and new construction.  Through thorough analysis of patient, material and staff flow in the Radiology Department as well as all of the relevant adjacent departments, Awen Solutions Group developed multiple design options. The solutions were reassessed with site visits and user input/interviews, incorporating valuable feedback from the stakeholders to refine the best option.

In addition to the user requirements, the Awen team had to design within additional construction constraints.  It was important that we minimize construction cost, but we also needed organize a construction solution to minimize disruption to this busy existing facility.  The steps were designed so that no department, service or room needed to move more than once during this multi-phase build out- Awen provided a solution to meet our client’s needs and budget.

Cardiac Cath Lab and Hybrid Operating Room

Client : VA Palo Alto Health Care System

After successfully overseeing several other projects, the Awen Team was asked back to Palo Alto to provide full construction documents and resuscitate a partially constructed Cath Lab Suite and Hybrid Operating Room.  This complex project carefully assessed an existing construction site extending through three floors through Building 100, and updated drawings to see it through to completion.

Working with VA staff and our partners at MEI Architects, Awen identified necessary medical equipment that had not yet been installed and coordinated with vendors to restore the Operating Room to full functionality. Using updated drawings, specifications, and equipment lists, our team developed a new construction cost estimate to complete the project.

Boise Telehealth Hub

Client : Boise VA Medical Center (BVAMC)

The BVAMC Telehealth Hub serves as the flagship for the design of VA’s next generation of telemedicine and collaborative workspaces, a creative reimagining of the future of healthcare.

The Awen team was asked to provide full space programming and user group meetings, all A/E design submissions, cost estimates (with options), a CFM TIL compliant Revit/BIM, and support the physical security reviews. Awen’s efforts provided the VA with a detailed construction document package for a 15,000 square-foot second story, an addition to the existing one-story office building occupied by the Boise Reginal Veterans Benefit Office (VBA).

Awen Solutions Group also offers full Construction Administration (CA) or Construction Period Services (CPS).  We review and respond to RFI’s, Submittals, and Change Orders to keep contractors moving forward.  We make site visits and attend regular coordination meetings to help our clients feel informed and comfortable that our design intents are being met.  Finally, Awen can also witness or perform commissioning services, ensuring that the facility is ready for operation.

Sacramento Medical Center Master Plan

Client : VA Northern California Healthcare System (VANHCS)

The VANCHCS Office of Strategic Planning tasked Awen Solutions Group with professional planning services to prepare a facility Master Plan for the VANCHCS’ Sacramento Medical Center Campus. This master plan guides the development of two undeveloped sites totaling 25 acres near their current campus. Our plan helps facilitate the alignment of capital & noncapital efforts and develop programmatic synergistic efficiencies through colocation of services over a 20 year planning horizon.

The Master Plan will link these initiatives to operational, programmatic, and realignment efforts. The Awen Team is coordinating all components of this engagement with VANCHCS Facility staff, leveraging the A/E strength of our experienced team across Healthcare Planning, Engineering, and Project Management to collaborate with VA on a valuable, new Master Plan that will highlight four 5-year incremental progress stages.

Martinez Specialty Care Outpatient Clinic

Client : VA Northern California Healthcare System (VANCHS)

The VA required a skilled firm to provide comprehensive A/E design and construction document development services for the VA Martinez campus’ Building 19. VANHCS again turned to Awen Solutions Group to reimagine a vacant space and allow for expansion of Specialty Care services to serve our nation’s veterans.

To accomplish this task, Awen collaborated with VA medical staff and MEI Architects on potential options for the remodel.  Encompassing Audiology, Hematology, Primary Care, Women’s Health, and an Eye Clinic, Awen’s designs empowered VA staff to make important decisions and improve care for a wide range of Specialties.  Awen provided subject matter experts, full design services, and professional support services required to ensure compliance with additional needs, such as energy efficient design, seismic requirements, and construction cost estimating for the renovation.

La Jolla Medical Center Traffic Study

Client : VA San Diego Healthcare System

Awen was engaged by the VA to develop a traffic access/flow and parking utilization study to address the demand of La Jolla VA Medical Center (LJVAMC) visitors, patients, and employees during and after construction of a new Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) center and parking garage.

Elements of the study included an inventory existing LJVAMC parking facilities and parking management and analyzing current traffic patterns on and around the LJVAMC Campus.  Awen also conducted a queueing survey and a synchronization analysis to develop recommendations for internal parking and traffic circulation mitigation.

LA Metro Purple Line Extension

Client : Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Construction & Facilities Management (CFM)

The Awen Team provides ongoing real estate support through program/project management, communications and financial subject matter expert consultation to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) LA Metro’s Purple Line Extension Project. Awen coordinates VA’s review of project submittals from Metro and/or Metro’s contractors including Metro drawings, work plans, management plans, maps, designs and other documents. Our responsibilities include supporting the VA’s environmental and historic due diligence efforts with respect to LA Metro’s Purple Line Expansion Project, which proposes land utilization on VA’s West Los Angeles (WLA) Campus.

Awen’s Team of real estate, environmental, and historic experts reviewed thousands of pages regarding LA Metro’s proposed construction and operation of a new Purple Line metro station on the WLA South Campus.  LA Metro’s findings and conclusions were reviewed against known existing conditions, regulatory requirements, and the VA’s goals in support of the VA Draft Master Plan. This resulted in the VA’s acceptance of LA Metro’s environmental documents, representing a monumental opportunity for increased access to the Campus for veterans and VA employees.

West Los Angeles Draft Master Plan

Client : VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (GLAHS)

The Awen Team is currently supporting VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (GLAHS) in evaluating, finalizing, and implementing the Draft Master Plan (DMP), which is a visionary blueprint defining the redevelopment of their 388-acre West Los Angeles (WLA) Campus in Los Angeles, California. Together with our partners Johnson Fain, we provided expert consultation and services in the areas of Program/Project Management, Space Utilization and Planning Analysis, Land Use Oversight and Management, Strategic Communications, and Business Support Services.

West Los Angeles Environmental Impact Statement

Client : Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Construction & Facilities Management (CFM)

In 2016, the VA developed a Draft Master Plan to guide the redevelopment of the 388-acre West Los Angeles (WLA) Campus with a focus on providing supportive housing for homeless and at-risk veterans. To assist the VA in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Awen developed a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) that analyzed the potential environmental, cultural, socioeconomic and cumulative impacts of the proposed improvements and alternatives for redevelopment for the WLA Campus.

Awen supported the VA in all aspects of NEPA compliance, including scoping, development of in-depth studies on biological resources, traffic, utilities and cultural resources, consultation with federal, state and local agencies, facilitation of public hearings and development of a final record of decision.