Bringing the Comfort of Home to Healthcare
Nor-Son Earns National Construction Award for Rural Hospital

San Diego, CA   Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) recognized the nation’s top 2009 construction projects during its Excellence in Construction and National Safety Excellence awards celebration at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel and Convention Center in San Diego, CA on February 4.  Nor-Son’s work on the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Addition, Crosby, MN earned the company a national award in the category of HEALTHCARE - $10–25 MILLION.

The Excellence in Construction awards program is the industry’s leading competition, developed to honor innovative and high-quality merit shop construction projects and safety programs. The award honors all construction team members, including the contractor, owner, architect and engineer. The winning projects, selected from entries submitted from across the nation, were judged on complexity, attractiveness, unique challenges overcome, completion time, workmanship, innovation, safety and cost.  

A panel of industry experts served as the competition’s judges. This year's panel included representatives from the Design-Build Institute of America, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Surety & Fidelity Association of America, The American Institute of Architects and representatives from higher education, among others.  

As Construction Manager for Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Nor-Son managed the 82,500 square foot addition and remodel of one of Northern Minnesota regions only critical access facilities. Designed by HDR/Jordan Architects, the 1962 building was magnificently transformed into an open, warm and inviting space.  

Nor-Son was not only responsible for managing one of the largest remodel and expansion project Cuyuna had underwent, but to do so while maintaining normal medical center operations. The facility had to be available to provide seamless, exacting services to their clients at all times, plus meet stringent Joint Commission of Health standards.

The truly welcoming environment is a testament to the effective collaborative effort of hospital administration, community, architect, and builder.  The multi-phased construction project began with the remodel of existing skilled care nursing home rooms to provide acute care rooms which were needed because current acute care rooms were being demolished to create new radiology and operating rooms.  A new roof system was built above the existing 1950’s building to provide the necessary height requirements for electrical, HVAC, and desired ceiling heights.  Working with basically four separate buildings with varying ceiling heights, the 1962 building was magnificently transformed into an open, warm and inviting space.  

The mall design developed in a way to break up the patient/visitor experience, from the reception area to coffee shop, or the family lounge to courtyard garden. Curved hallways are distinguishing aspects that are unique from linear institutional environments. Materials were used not only for color and texture, but for way-finding to patient areas. Fireplaces separate intimate waiting areas providing comfort and warmth, and at the end of the mall is one last viewing experience before entering the patient area, a curved staircase towered by glass windows overlooks a courtyard with underground snow melt system for year round use.  Natural materials and tones were carried into the patient rooms as well with spa-like amenities. Family and visitors are kept connected to work and friends by adding a cell phone tower for improved wireless connections. The spacious rooms have three zones…comfortable spaces for patient, family and staff. Window bays provide day lighting into the room, wood tones bring nature inside, and curved spaces impart a calming affect to the patient experience.

Guided by its mission to build warm, welcoming and well-built environments, Nor-Son met the goal of Cuyuna Regional Medical Center by creating a superior healthcare facility in a rural community. The completion of this project took rural healthcare to a new level that will serve generations to come.
 “ABC is pleased to present these industry-leading construction projects with our Excellence in Construction awards,” said Kirk Pickerel, ABC president and CEO. “This year’s winners were exceptional examples of the outstanding craftsmanship and professionalism that embody merit shop construction. ABC members continue to be the driving force behind some of the nation’s highest-profile projects.”  
 
About Nor-Son, Inc.:  Founded in 1978, Nor-Son, Inc. is a nationally recognized leader in the design and construction industry. The construction services firm specializes in creating warm, welcoming and well built environments for the home, hospitality, healthcare and commercial sectors. The company provides Consulting, Pre-Construction, Design, Construction and Maintenance services. A 17-time national award winner of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Nor-Son has offices in Baxter, Minnesota, and Fargo, North Dakota.  www.nor-son.com

About Cuyuna Regional Medical Center:  Cuyuna Regional Medical Center is a compassionate, progressive and state-of-the-art health care facility located in Crosby, Minnesota that has been providing medical services for over 40 years with over 700 physicians, nurses, health care professionals and support staff working together to provide patients and their families with a positive, proactive, and patient-centered medical campus.  www.cuyunamed.org

Editors Note: Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national association representing 23,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms in 79 chapters across the United States. For more news and information, visit ABC’s website, www.abc.org

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