Loadbearing and non-loadbearing precast wall panels were combined effectively into an all precast/prestressed concrete structure to form the new $18 million Hopi Health Care Center in Polacca, Arizona. Key challenges in this project included meeting the federal grant requirements, fulfilling the Hopi tribe’s desire for a culture oriented facility, retaining the Indian Health Services�? specification for a sterile hospital, and working in a harsh desert environment. Precast/prestressed concrete met these challenges with ingenuity and simplicity. The medical center features unique two-piece precast concrete wall panels and cylinder-shaped projections that emulate the “vigas,�? or wood joists, used as roof supports in traditional Hopi adobe structures. The long double tees provide a structural system with large bays of unobstructed space. The tees also span the crawl space beneath the building for access to mechanical and utility equipment. This article presents the design considerations and construction highlights of the project.
