Case Study: Columbia University Medical Center achieves a new medical education building with Thornton Tomasetti

Columbia University Medical Center opens 100,242 ft² education center with Thornton Tomasetti

Thornton Tomasetti provided site/civil and geotechnical engineering design services to Columbia University Medical Center for the construction of the new Roy and Diana Vagelos Education Center in Manhattan. The project's challenges included a high rock profile at the site that impacted excavation and foundations, as well as the need to relocate an existing parking garage entrance for a neighboring building to accommodate the new construction.

Thornton Tomasetti's solution involved close coordination with city departments for approvals and creative engineering to design a relocated tunnel entrance with precast roof panels, allowing the garage to remain operational. Throughout construction, the team provided support to resolve complications and keep the contractor on schedule. The result was the successful completion of the 100,242-square-foot, LEED Gold-certified medical education building in 2016.

Columbia University Medical Center