Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center

University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha

“We will have the best cancer center facility in the world, here in Omaha” - Dr. Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., Director of FPBCC

The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center includes a 10-story, 98-laboratory research tower, a seven-story, 108-bed inpatient treatment center, and a multi-disciplinary treatment center. It is designed to place researchers working in laboratories just steps away from clinicians caring for patients. The project is the largest ever for the University of Nebraska, and one of the largest ever in the state.

Size
615,000 sq ft

Construction Cost
$323 Million

Project Architect
HDR

General Contractor
Kiewit

vivarium, biology labs, hospital, clinical imaging, surgery

The Challenge

In addition to the usual concerns for a hospital and lab facility, the multi-disciplinary nature of the project resulted in a number of specific challenges for the acoustics and vibration design:

MRI, CT, NMR, and Surgical Suites w/ stringent vibration criteria on upper level suspended floors

A loading dock located adjacent to sensitive vivarium and MRI locations

Open lobbies and check-in stations where speech privacy was a concern for HIPAA requirements

Multipurpose lobby/atrium with varying acoustical requirements

Our Solution

We conducted a detailed structural analysis of all vibration-sensitive areas located on upper floors, and worked with the design team to help ensure that the vibration criteria were met

Site vibration measurements of an existing loading dock were used to develop recommended setback distances and structural modifications to limit the impact from the loading dock

A combination of layout, strategically place partial-height partitions, absorptive finishes, and sound masking were used to maintain privacy in open check-in areas

A balanced acoustical design was used in the lobby and atrium area, to allow for adequate speech intelligibility during presentations while maintaining a relatively lively lobby area

Awards
Honor Award 2019, Engineering Excellence Awards, American Council of Engineering Companies

Grand Award 2019, Engineering Excellence Awards, American Council of Engineering Companies of Nebraska

Best Project 2018, Healthcare, Engineering News-Record Midwest

AEI Professional Project Award, Winner 2018, Most Innovative Project (greater than $100 million category) The American Society of Civil Engineers' Architectural Engineering Institute

ACI Nebraska Award of Excellence, Winner 2017, American Concrete Institute, Nebraska Chapter

Expertise

Facility Types