01 Challenge

UC Health sought to create a highly specialized simulation and research facility to support the U.S. Air Force Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT), enabling training for the transport of critically ill patients within the constraints of an in-flight ICU environment aboard a C-130 aircraft. The project required transforming an existing building, over 40 years old, into a technically advanced, mission-critical environment capable of replicating real-world flight conditions. In addition to training, the facility needed to support ongoing research to test emerging technologies and methods for patient care during transport. Delivered through a design-build partnership, the project demanded close collaboration to integrate complex systems within the limitations of an aging structure while maintaining schedule and budget certainty.

02 Solution

Working as a design-build team with Danis Construction, BHDP led a highly collaborative and iterative design process that aligned technical requirements with constructability from the outset. The team reimagined the existing facility as a high-performance simulation and research environment, overcoming significant infrastructure and spatial constraints through targeted upgrades to core building systems and precise coordination of specialized equipment. Central to the design was the creation of immersive training environments that replicate the spatial, operational, and sensory conditions of a C-130 aircraft, supported by integrated briefing, control, and debriefing spaces to enhance learning outcomes. Dedicated research environments were designed for flexibility, enabling the U.S. Air Force to evaluate new technologies and care strategies in a controlled setting. This collaborative approach allowed the team to efficiently resolve challenges in real time while maintaining the project’s technical and performance goals.