A design-build team headlined by Hensel Phelps, HMC Architects, and CO Architects has been selected for a revamp of Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in unincorporated West Carson, the team announced this month.

The nearly $1.7-billion project, approved in February by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, calls for consolidating medical services on the Harbor-UCLA campus, which spans 72 acres at the intersection of Carson Street and Vermont Avenue. The project will allow the hospital to comply with Senate Bill 1953, which requires all acute care hospitals to either rebuild or retrofit their facilities by the year 2030 to avoid damage from a major earthquake.

“I’m excited to lead this design-build team of healthcare design and construction experts to deliver this magnificent, state-of-the-art facility,” said Hensel Phelps program manager Sandra Ichiho in a statement. “Through this project, the County will create hundreds of local jobs and millions of dollars in business opportunities for the local community.”

The centerpieces of the project are a new 468,000-square-foot inpatient care tower with 346 beds, as well as a 403,000-square-foot outpatient treatment center and support building. Other components of the revamp include a new helicopter landing pad, an 11,000-square-foot warehouse, a new 381,000-square-foot parking garage, and other supportive facilities.

By consolidating existing inpatient and outpatient services into new buildings, Harbor-UCLA expects to reduce operation and maintenance costs, while also meeting sustainability goals. The project team is targeting LEED Gold certification for the campus.

“Adding a million square feet to an existing 70-year-old campus creates significant planning and cost challenges,” said HMC Architects healthcare practice leader Kirk Rose in the news release. “Our design will optimize operational flow and throughput, arrange the program at a very efficient cost, and create a beautiful new outdoor space for community enjoyment.”

Elsewhere on the Harbor-UCLA complex, the County has also partnered with The Lundquist Institute, formerly known as LA Biomed, which intends to develop a 250,000-square-foot biosciences technology campus near Carson's intersection with Normandie Avenue.