"Our experience working with Gibbs Construction on the Sadeghi Center for Plastic Surgery in New Orleans was stellar. The project was brought to us as a Design-Build project, which as Architects, we are often hesitant about. However, the project was both smooth and successful and opened our eyes to the benefits of Design-Build projects. This team was professional and marked by many great qualities including respect, transparency, organization, and efficiency."
-Julie A. Babin, AIA, LEED AP | Studio WTA, LLC
Dr. Ali Sadeghi, double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, partnered with Gibbs through a design-build contract to develop and construct a new private permanent office, which would provide flex space to accommodate a variety of services within his multi-functional practice.
The preconstruction team’s diverse industry expertise and extensive collaboration generated a building concept that significantly minimized cost and reduced the duration of construction. During this time, Gibbs created milestone estimates and schedules, offered cost-saving suggestions, and evaluated subcontractor estimates and availability.
During the commencement of construction, the team avoided disrupting the flow of traffic on Metairie Road. With permission from the neighbor, Gibbs stationed the concrete pump truck in their parking lot, pumping 50% of the site’s concrete through a line that extended over the mature intervening oak tree.
This new 10,000-square-foot, single-story stucco and masonry surgical center quickly advanced by implementing a less traditional premanufactured “tilt-up” construction process. As a design-build contractor, Gibbs brought a light gauge panelization subcontractor, LGS, to the design table. This suggestion, in lieu of traditional lumber framing, curtailed material waste, shortened the construction schedule and provided the owner a sustainable, noncombustible end product that will improve the building’s life cycle cost.
The DIRTT (Do It Right This Time) modular wall system became paramount in providing Dr. Sadeghi with a customizable flex space with the ability to continuously reconfigure the spatial layout of this stationary structure. The pivoting and sliding doors within the interchangeable framework of this system make up 60% of the interior walls. By adopting DIRTT, Gibbs maximized space for the HVAC installation and preinstalled electrical conduit and outlet switches, minimizing assembly in the field.
High-end finishing touches of this sophisticated surgery center and medi spa included white solid surface countertops, full-height white estate brick accent walls, and porcelain tile providing patients a calming serene ambiance.
Gibbs overcame several setbacks along the way. The construction of this building occurred during a record-breaking overactive hurricane season slowing down construction progress and delaying permanent power to the building. Untraditionally, we were forced to depend on temporary power for nine out of the eleven construction months. Additionally, Sadeghi Surgical Center began construction at the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic. Gibbs’ commitment to our client resulted in zero shutdowns allowing us to maintain the original construction schedule.
Budget
$5M
Size
10,224 sf
Owner
2551 Metairie Road, LLC
Architect
studioWTA