Patients Come First: Rossi Builders To Discuss Healthcare Construction At Bisnow’s Nov. 19 NorCal Summit
Ensuring that patients receive the care they need starts with medical buildings that are easy to navigate and equipped with an array of resources.
That is the attitude of San Francisco Bay-area commercial construction company Rossi Builders, which is helping to expand Northern California’s healthcare footprint. Its collaborations with clients and subcontractors have resulted in healthcare assets such as medical office buildings, labs, private practice offices and surgical care centers.
Rossi Builders Director of Preconstruction Sherif Eldash will moderate a panel discussion on the demand for medical buildings at Bisnow’s Northern California Healthcare Real Estate Summit on Nov. 19. The Medical Office Building Demand and Development in NorCal panel will discuss constructing and designing medical facilities that meet patients’ healthcare needs.
In a conversation with Bisnow, Eldash discussed the standards and regulations of fertility clinics, the collaborative nature of the design-build method and prioritizing patient care.
Bisnow: What are some of the challenges of building and outfitting fertility clinics compared to traditional medical office spaces?
Eldash: Fertility clinics, especially those with [in vitro fertilization] labs, present unique challenges that go beyond traditional medical office requirements. In addition to standard patient rooms, fertility clinics need lab spaces with strict environmental controls of their temperature, humidity and air filtration. These factors demand specialized HVAC and electrical systems that add complexity to both the timeline and budget.
Each step requires careful planning, not just to meet the standards but also to manage cost implications from sourcing specialized materials and equipment. The air quality and sterility specifications for embryology labs often lead to longer procurement periods and a more stringent permitting process.
Bisnow: How does the design-build method streamline the construction of a fertility clinic?
Eldash: It allows us to integrate the expertise of architects, engineers and builders from the outset, which is critical for a project as specialized as a fertility clinic. This collaborative approach ensures that every detail, from laboratory requirements to patient flow in exam rooms and nurses’ stations, is planned and adjusted in real time.
Design-build enables faster problem-solving and keeps all stakeholders aligned, which reduces the chances of costly changes or delays. Precision is paramount in labs, and this method offers continuity between design and construction, ensuring that critical specs are met efficiently and accurately.
Bisnow: What specialized expertise is required to ensure an IVF lab meets environmental and regulatory standards?
Eldash: Constructing IVF lab spaces demands expertise in several specialized areas, such as HVAC systems engineering for air filtration and pressure control as well as electrical engineering for stable power to sensitive lab equipment. Knowledge of medical regulations is essential, too.
IVF labs must maintain controlled environments with minimal particulates and specific temperature ranges to protect embryo viability, requiring not only specific materials but specialized skills in laboratory construction and regulatory compliance. Close collaboration is essential to make sure all conditions are precisely met.
Bisnow: How can builders balance creating spaces that are suitable for both clinical purposes and for enhancing patient safety and comfort?
Eldash: They should prioritize a balance between sterility, efficient design and patient-centered comfort. Clinical functionality is essential, but fertility clinics benefit greatly from a comforting atmosphere, as they serve patients experiencing a highly emotional journey.
This means selecting materials that don’t feel cold or clinical while also being easy to sterilize, using softer lighting and ensuring the layout allows for privacy and reduced stress.
Safety features like non-slip flooring, clear navigation and secure storage for medical equipment should be seamlessly integrated without detracting from the calming, welcoming environment.
Bisnow: Can you give an example of a notable healthcare project that Rossi Builders has worked on?
Eldash: Collab Fertility is a cutting-edge fertility clinic that is certified by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Facilities and focuses on innovation and precision.
Every detail, from specialized labs and exam rooms to the state-of-the-art HVAC system and large observation windows, was meticulously crafted to create a technologically advanced and transparent care facility.
Working closely with Collab, we built a space that prioritizes our client and their patients’ needs through every step of the fertility journey. By using the design-build method, we managed to streamline the construction process, aligning every design and build element with the specialized needs of fertility care. The result is a facility that not only meets stringent regulatory standards but also creates a warm, supportive environment for patients and staff.
Click here to register for Bisnow’s Northern California Healthcare Real Estate Summit.
This article was produced in collaboration between Studio B and Rossi Builders. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.
Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.
