Story

Located in Bethesda, Maryland, between Old Georgetown Road and Wisconsin Avenue, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a world cornerstone for medical treatment and innovation. Its newest project is the NIH Surgery, Radiology and Lab Medicine Building (NIH SRLM). This is a much-needed design-build expansion to the main hospital, adding over 545,000 SF of new surgical rooms, patient suites, labs, and offices, along with space for conference areas and collaborative areas for NIH doctors and scientists. While blending seamlessly into the existing hospital architectural elements, this eight-story building (with 3 levels below grade) reflects the LEED V4 Gold rating with multiple wings, allowing for natural lightwells as a high-efficiency HVAAC system and multiple gardens and bioretention ponds. Miller & Long began our 52-week duration in the spring of 2024 with our partner, Hensel-Phelps Construction. The main associated design firms are KPFF, HO&K and ZG&K. The building features three levels below grade with a footprint of approximately 65,000 SF at level one. Patient suites and operating areas generally occupy the lower floors, with lab and operating space on higher levels. It starts at B3/B2 levels with large spread footings and mat foundations (some of mass-concrete size) atop augur-cast piles. All levels are reinforced with mild steel with mainly 9” thick decks and some large areas running up to 19” thick. Above grade, the central area (approximately 22K SF of 54K typical) of every other floor from two to eight was left out for metal decking installation after double-lift shoring was removed to facilitate a large central mechanical area. The building features over 500 LF of utility tunnel around the SE side of the project along with 150 LF of pedestrian tunnel at the SW corner of the site, which connects the building to an adjacent parking structure. The tunnels are typically about 14’ wide x 12’ tall, with mat slabs, 18” thick walls and a combination of CIP and metal deck composite roofs. Additionally, the building features about 800 CY in mechanical pads along with over 6 miles of curb and kneewall. In order to place the estimated 40,000 yards of concrete on the project, Miller & Long utilized two tower cranes, a pump tower and an on-site batch plant with 2-3 dedicated mixer trucks. The batch plant greatly facilitated large concrete placements, allowing us to avoid security gate checks. Finishing on schedule and within budget – with a highly satisfied GC and owner, NIH SRLM is most definitely one that all of us here at Miller & Long can take great pride in its execution.