A leading-edge new model of senior care.
The Poydras Home campus has been reimagined to include a new 60,000-square-foot addition and the 7,500-square-foot renovation of its original 160-year-old main building first constructed in 1857. Completed in two phases spanning 26 months, the project would overcome several supply chain, logistical, and pandemic-related challenges during construction. It ushered in a nationally acclaimed model of care for Poydras Home known as the Green House Project, becoming the first eldercare facility in Louisiana to adopt this model. Now complete, the facility boasts nearly 80 private residence rooms across three floors and two buildings each with a central community gathering space and kitchen, as well as a separate fitness center and other versatile spaces.
Square Footage
60,000 SF (Ph1 Addition)
Completion
20 months (2023)
Owner
Poydras Home, LA Nonprofit Corp.
Architect
Project Location
New Orleans, LA
Preconstruction & Early Planning
Before construction began, our team led an intensive preconstruction effort in close collaboration with the owner and design team. Within a condensed two-week window, we secured final material pricing, identified long-lead items such as structural steel, and evaluated cost-saving strategies that brought the project within two percent of the original budget.
Phase One Expansion and Site Constraints
Phase one of the project began in summer 2021 and included the demolition of the historic Hunter House, a 1960s-era campus wing, foundation work, and unforeseen asbestos abatement. The expansion consisted of two new buildings connected by a glass concourse and was constructed within extremely tight site conditions. With limited clearance to tennis courts, nearby occupied residences, and protected live oak trees, our team implemented vibration monitoring during pile driving and carefully protected historic trees throughout construction.
Managing Supply Chain Disruptions
The project faced significant supply chain challenges due to COVID-19 and Hurricane Ida. Although the jobsite itself suffered minimal damage, steel erection was delayed nearly three months after the storm damaged the steel manufacturer’s facility. Roofing materials were also expected to be delayed up to eight months, prompting the installation of a temporary TPO roof to maintain progress. By securing critical insulation early, the delay was reduced to just one month. Additional delays to aluminum window and curtainwall materials were mitigated by temporarily sealing 160 building openings and coordinating direct material pickups from the manufacturer to keep construction moving.
Despite challenges from supply chain disruptions, inflation, and hurricane impacts, the project maintained momentum through proactive planning, transparent communication, and strong owner trust. With approved schedule adjustments and continued collaboration, the project was ultimately completed on time.
