Project Use Type: Senior Living Community
Client: Thrive Senior Living
Project Use Type: Senior Assisted Living
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Property Size: : 2.62 Acres
Building Square Footage: 37,000 SF
Services Provided:
– Civil Engineering Design
– Infrastructure Planning Services
– Utility Verification Analysis
– ADA Accessibility Compliance
– Subconsultant Coordination Management
– Geotechnical Risk Mitigation
– Regulatory Permitting Services
Unique Solution:
Submerged portions of two floors, utilizing the building’s own foundation walls for grade management, saving several hundred thousand dollars and shaving months off the construction schedule.
Case Study: Elevating Senior Living Through Subterranean Innovation
Context & Services
For Thrive Senior Living’s 2.62acre Huntsville campus, we served as an innovative partner providing comprehensive civil engineering and infrastructure planning. Our team managed the high-stakes transition from raw land to a 37,000 SF assisted living facility by navigating complex regulatory hurdles. We delivered a full suite of services, including civil construction design plans, utility verifications, and ADA-compliant route criteria to ensure seamless facility accessibility. By coordinating subconsultants for geotechnical and environmental analysis, we mitigated subsurface risks like expansive clays that often threaten structural stability.
The Unique Solution
Assisted living developments often face anxieties regarding extreme topography and the high fees of “no net loss” tree policies.. This specific site presented 50 feet of relief, a challenge that typically necessitates extensive, costly retaining walls. Rather than following a standard transactional approach, we acted as true advocates by submerging portions of two floors. This craftsmanship allowed us to utilize the building’s foundation walls to manage the grade. By anticipating the structural and hydrological needs early, we avoided exterior wall installations, expertly balancing the need for “green infrastructure” stormwater mandates with the reality of a steep, high-density block.
Success & Impact
Our value-focused design fulfilled our promise to the client by saving several hundred thousand dollars in construction costs. Beyond the financial relief, our approach shaved months off the schedule, allowing Thrive to open its doors and serve the community sooner. The result is a stabilized, specialized residential facility that addresses Huntsville’s healthcare infrastructure needs without the aesthetic or financial burden of massive retaining structures.
