UCSF embarked on the MRI Replacement project to modernize diagnostic imaging capabilities at their BCHO campus. Located within the HCAI 1 patient tower constructed in the 1980s, the existing MRI room and adjacent equipment room had undergone previous modifications that left both spaces severely constrained. The restrictive floor-to-floor heights and cramped conditions demanded exceptionally close coordination with contractors to develop the innovative solutions that ultimately made this project feasible.

As the structural engineers for the project, R+C's Building Systems Group drew upon their specialized expertise in navigating challenging existing conditions, equipment anchorage, and MEP system bracing to deliver space-efficient solutions that met the requirements of every discipline involved.

‍

Preparing the existing space to accommodate the new MRI machine required several critical considerations. The machine's extreme sensitivity to magnetic materials meant the engineering team had to carefully balance the amount of steel used in the retrofit while ensuring the structure remained robust enough to support both the substantial weight of the equipment and its essential magnetic shielding.

‍

The presence of a large, immovable steel beam directly beneath the room created a significant obstacle. To address this challenge, the team proposed installing a new concrete pad beneath the MRI machine, creating the necessary separation to prevent magnetic interference from the existing beam. However, this solution introduced a new problem: the already limited floor-to-floor heights, combined with the extensive above-ceiling MEP systems required, meant there was no longer adequate ceiling clearance for the MRI equipment.

To resolve this constraint, the team secured an HCAI accommodation for an innovative stepped ceiling configuration. This design elevates the ceiling at the room's center approximately one foot above the perimeter height, providing just enough clearance for MRI operation while preserving maximum space for critical MEP infrastructure. Coordinating closely with trade partners, R+C designed a trapezed support system to support and seismically brace the extensive above ceiling cable tray and electrical conduit systems in very congested conditions.

‍

The project's unique constraints also dictated an unconventional approach to ventilation. Rather than routing MRI exhaust through the roof as typically done, the existing building conditions required the exhaust system to be directed laterally out through the building's exterior wall.

‍

The successful integration of all these solutions enabled the team to meet deliver a state-of-the-art healthcare space within a complex and operational existing facility.