University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Faculty Center 


Challenge
As one of the preeminent cancer centers in the world, MD Anderson grows at an extraordinary rate. To accommodate its burgeoning faculty, the UT System engaged WHR to design a 325,000 square-foot facility for offices, meeting rooms and distance learning spaces. Since current faculty were officed in lease spaces that would expire in less than two years, the new building would have to become a reality in record time.

Solution
Faced with extremely ambitious deadlines and the possibility of design approval delays, WHR built critical-path project management into the process to keep the effort unwaveringly on track. We utilized prototypical floor plan design with minor modifications by department and obtained Board of Regents approval early on. We then worked closely with Hensel Phelps Construction in a design-build strategy to forestall plan changes and accelerate project delivery.

Results
The innovative delivery methodology employed through the collaboration of WHR and Hensel Phelps allowed the facility to be delivered in an exceptionally restricted time frame � only 16 months from hire date to occupancy.