Elevating Healing Spaces: Birdair's Project at Dell Children's Hospital

In the heart of Austin, Texas, stands Dell Children's Hospital, a beacon of hope and healing for children and families across the region. In 2022, the medical center added a 3rd bed tower, a state-of-the-art healthcare facility that showcases a PTFE-coated fiberglass tensile membrane structure at the top of their mechanical penthouse by Birdair. Spanning a modest 770 square feet, Birdair's PTFE-coated fiberglass structure now crowns the hospital.

Two other tensile structures of the same design were completed by Birdair in the early 2000's. But this recent design, emulated to look like old-school nurses hats, had a very tight execution deadline. Birdair's team rose to the challenge and finished ahead of schedule in the field thanks to close coordination with general contarctor JE Dunn Construction and the fabricator of the mechanical penthouse steel. The 770 square foot structure was assembled on the ground and lifted over 200 feet in the air and into place.

Despite its relatively modest size, spanning only 770 square feet, this architectural gem serves as a testament to the power of thoughtful design in healthcare environments. Nestled atop the hospital's new structure, it not only enhances the building's visual appeal but also contributes to creating a welcoming and soothing atmosphere for patients, families, and staff.

Birdair's PTFE-coated fiberglass material is renowned for its durability, flexibility, and aesthetic versatility. In the context of Dell Children's Hospital, these qualities translate into tangible benefits for patients and caregivers alike. The translucent nature of the material allows natural light to filter through, creating a bright and uplifting ambiance within the hospital's interior spaces. Moreover, its lightweight construction ensures structural integrity without imposing excessive loads on the building below, a crucial consideration in healthcare environments where safety is paramount.

As a prominent fixture in the Austin community, Dell Children's Hospital plays a vital role in shaping the city's healthcare landscape. Birdair's contribution to the hospital's expansion underscores the importance of collaboration and innovation in advancing the quality of care available to children and families. By leveraging cutting-edge materials and design principles, the project serves as a shining example of how architectural interventions can positively impact the well-being of communities at large.

In the ever-evolving realm of healthcare design, every detail matters. Birdair's project at Dell Children's Hospital stands as a testament to the transformative power of thoughtful architecture in healing environments. With its PTFE-coated fiberglass structure gracefully adorning the hospital's rooftop, it not only enhances the building's aesthetic appeal but also contributes to creating a nurturing and supportive space for all who enter its doors. As Dell Children's Hospital continues to serve as a beacon of hope for generations to come, Birdair's innovative contribution will remain a symbol of healing, resilience, and community spirit.

About Birdair

Birdair, Inc., is the leading specialty design build contractor of custom tensile structures around the world. In addition to pre-construction services such as design assistance, budgeting, construction methodologies and project scheduling, Birdair provides design-build solutions in all aspects of project design, fabrication, installation and maintenance. The company offers a selection of architectural fabric membranes, including PTFE fiberglass, TensoSky? ETFE film, PVC and Tensotherm?, an insulated tensioned membrane system. Birdair, based in Buffalo, NY, is a member of the Taiyo Kogyo Group, with operations serving North and South America and other international locations. For more information about Birdair, call 1-800-622-2246 or visit Birdair.com.