Northwestern Lake Forest Laboratory
Northwestern Lake Forest Laboratory
R.M. Chin & Associates, Inc. (CHIN) is providing owner’s representation services for the Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Pavilion Expansion – Laboratory, part of the hospital’s broader $390 million expansion program. This project, as part of Phase Two of the Pavilion Expansion, involves relocating the existing laboratory and developing a new 9,500-square-foot facility.
CHIN oversaw the design process, which included drawing review, issuing comments, permit assistance, preparation of bid posting, and bid review. In addition, construction phase services included administering and documenting site meetings, preparing inspector daily reports, measuring completed pay item quantities, critical issue guidance, and review of invoices, change orders, quality and testing reports, and closeout documents.
Project Description
The new laboratory will support essential hospital services, including histology, grossing, blood bank, microbiology, hematology, and main lab operations. More than a technical upgrade, the space is being designed to improve efficiency, support advanced diagnostics, and provide a reliable platform for Northwestern’s growing clinical needs.
CHIN is guiding the project from early planning through completion, providing stakeholder engagement, design review, medical equipment planning and procurement coordination, schedule and budget oversight, and activation planning. The team is safeguarding the client interests by ensuring that the design and construction align seamlessly with the hospital’s day-to-day operations.
Challenges & Solutions
Delivering the project within an active hospital requires construction to be carefully phased so daily operations can continue without interruption. The team is balancing clinical input, integrating specialized medical equipment with building systems, and managing budget pressures amid rising construction costs while minimizing disruption to patient care.
CHIN is leading weekly stakeholder sessions, driving design reviews, and maintaining open communication across all parties
to keep the project on track. Value engineering strategies help reconcile scope with budget, while a clear equipment integration plan allows architects, contractors, and specialty vendors to coordinate effectively.
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