Overview
Planate Management Group has been awarded Architect/Engineer (A/E) design services for a new multi-story Service Building Annex and Ambulance Ramp at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System – University Drive Campus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The project includes clinical space planning, mechanical systems design, emergency access improvements, and provisions for future expansion—supporting the continued modernization of Veteran healthcare facilities in the Pittsburgh region.
Facility Background
The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System’s University Drive campus serves as the acute care hub for Veterans in the greater Pittsburgh area, providing a full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient services including medicine, surgery, neurology, critical care, cardiac surgery, oncology, and audiology. The campus operates 146 beds distributed across key clinical services and serves as one of two main medical centers within the VAPHS system—alongside the H. John Heinz III Medical Center in O’Hara Township.
The University Drive campus is currently undergoing a broader phase of infrastructure modernization, supported by a record $4.8 billion in nationwide VA investment for fiscal year 2026 under the Veterans Health Administration’s Non-Recurring Maintenance program. Recent and ongoing improvements at the campus include a 14,500-square-foot clinical renovation supporting physical therapy, neurology, and vascular care, as well as expanded security measures and emergency department upgrades.
Planate’s Scope of Services
As Architect/Engineer of Record, Planate will lead the design of a new multi-story Service Building Annex, which will provide additional clinical and support space to accommodate growing Veteran caseloads and operational needs. The project also includes design of an Ambulance Ramp to improve emergency vehicle access and streamline emergency medical operations on the campus.
Planate’s scope encompasses full clinical space planning to optimize workflow and patient throughput, mechanical systems design to ensure reliable HVAC, plumbing, and other critical building services, and integration of future expansion provisions that allow the facility to adapt to evolving healthcare delivery models. Construction documentation, cost estimating, and construction period support will round out the firm’s engagement.
Building for Veterans’ Long-Term Needs
Healthcare facilities supporting Veterans require a unique combination of clinical functionality, operational resilience, and long-term adaptability. By incorporating future expansion planning from the outset, this project ensures that the investment made today will continue to serve Veterans for decades to come. Improved ambulance access and modern clinical space directly translate to faster, better, and more dignified care for those who have served.
Planate is honored to contribute to the modernization of the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, reinforcing its commitment to delivering infrastructure that supports the health and well-being of America’s Veterans.
