ProHealth Care Waukesha Memorial Hospital NICU/LDRP Expansion and Renovation

ProHealth Care Waukesha Memorial Hospital sought to enhance critical patient care and safety through a full renovation and vertical expansion to its Labor, Delivery, Recovery, and Postpartum (LDRP) and Waukesha County’s only Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), both located on the north end of the hospital.

GRAEF was selected to provide structural engineering services for this 44,361-square-foot project. The scope included the addition of two C-Section operating suites, modernized labor, delivery, recovery, and postpartum areas, and an updated floorplan featuring private single- and double-patient rooms.

GRAEF's team actively participated in project coordination meetings and conducted a thorough analysis of the existing building under current codes to identify any deficiencies. Although the existing structure was designed for vertical expansion with traditional hospital loading, the project introduced a mechanical room to avoid roof-mounted equipment. The complexity increased due to existing facade penetrations and new facade support crossing an expansion joint. The structural design required careful minimization of reinforcement to accommodate the program below.