Project: Health Simulation Center, North Iowa Community College, Mason City, Iowa

Client: Bergland + Cram Architects, Mason City, Iowa

Completed: 2015

A major structural engineering challenge was presented in this project as the bottom story of two three-story concrete columns had to be removed to create the architectural layout that Bergland + Cram developed. This became even more complicated when the existing floor slab was opened up to install new footings and poor soils dictated that the new columns to be installed would have to be supported on helical piles instead of conventional spread footings. The capacity of the original columns that were removed was approximately 300,000 pounds, each.

This facility allows nursing students to train in a setting that very closely models a contemporary health care environment.