Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

Walter P Moore provided structural, civil and traffic engineering services for this major $250 million replacement medical center, the largest medical complex ever built by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The comprehensive medical center serves the in- and outpatient health needs of veterans in a multiple state region in a modern, 1.5 million square foot building near the Texas Medical Center. An interstitial zone was created above the ceiling at all floors, totalling 1.2 million square feet.

In response to the VA's desire to fully integrate the structural, MEP, and special systems of the main building in an interstitial zone above each ceiling, Walter P Moore developed an innovative new structural system. This system utilized upset steel haunch girders which allowed the floor-to-floor heights to be minimized and simultaneously provided an economical structure.  

Innovation
In response to the VA’s desire to fully integrate the structural, MEP, and special systems of the main building in an interstitial zone above each ceiling, Walter P Moore developed an innovative new structural system. This system utilized upset steel haunch girders which allowed the floorto-floor heights to be minimized and simultaneously provided an economical structure.

Walter P Moore provided all site and traffic engineering design for the 118-acre site. Traffic services included a campus traffic access, circulation, and parking masterplan, design of all on-campus thoroughfares, parking lots, traffic entrance controls, and loading dock facilities. The design included special paving materials, drive up entrances for three outpatient entrances, and a METRO bus facility at the main entrance.