Top Projects of 2025: Children’s Wisconsin – C4 North PICU

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Children’s Wisconsin’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit expansion and renovation stands as a testament to collaborative construction excellence under extraordinary conditions. Boldt served as construction manager on the $19.5 million, 28,090-square-foot project, which expanded the Milwaukee campus PICU from 32 to 44 beds while maintaining full hospital operations throughout construction.

The project began during the COVID-19 pandemic and faced compounding challenges including high census periods, supply chain volatility and the aftermath of the Waukesha parade tragedy. Work occurred in an older hospital wing directly above an inpatient unit and below active operating rooms, requiring meticulous phasing to preserve bed counts daily.

The team deployed laser scanning, OpenSpace documentation, Virtual Design and Construction and Target Value Design to resolve conflicts between two connected buildings with differing floor elevations. Off-site prefabrication of headwalls by JM Brennan reduced onsite hot work and improved quality control. Kahler Slater led architectural design, while GRAEF provided structural engineering support for undocumented precast conditions discovered during demolition.

The completed facility includes a Highly Infectious Patient Suite with independently controlled pressure environments, energy-efficient HVAC systems and renovated patient rooms supporting advanced care models. The expansion strengthens Children’s Wisconsin’s capacity to serve critically ill pediatric patients and respond to future public health emergencies for decades to come.

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