June 2006
History of VAHBS
The VA Hospital Building System (VAHBS)
is an approach to the design and construc-
tion of large, multi-story hospital buildings
based on the principles of systems integra-
tion. Key features of the VAHBS are modu-
lar design with integrated service zones for
permanent and adaptable building subsys-
tems.
Faced with rising costs, lengthy periods be-
tween programming and occupancy, accel-
erating obsolescence and inadequate build- Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VA Medical Center
ing performance, VA decided to study the
Loma Linda, CA, 1977
application of systems integration to a proto-
type design for new hospitals. The result of the work by VA Research staff and the consultant,
Stone, Marraccini and Patterson with Building Systems Development, was the Development
Study--VA Hospital Building System Research Study Report (Red Book) first published in Janu-
ary 1972. The Red Book report was last revised in August 1977.
The VAHBS has been used successfully on many VA projects. Over the last three decades cer-
tain elements of this system have evolved in response to field experience, emerging health care
models, and technical and regulatory changes. As a supplement to the Red Book, this Paper is
intended to aid designers of new VA hospital buildings in the application of VAHBS concepts to
today's conditions and construction practices.
VAHBS Concepts
Systems Integration
The Red Book presented a prototype design system for new hospital buildings. In the prototype
system, building systems and subsystems and their interrelationships are defined and examined
as integrated or coordinated components of the building as a whole from the very beginning of
the design process. The primary objectives for systems integration are cost control, improved
performance, adaptability, time (schedule) reduction, and the provision of a basis for the long-
term development and modification of the hospital building.
Readers must keep in mind that the prototype design system was not intended to be used as a
standardized scheme. The prototype design system was to be used as a model for the general-
ized decision process for the design and construction of new facilities. The prototype space
modules were based on functional criteria appropriate to the health care delivery model of the
time. Changes in these criteria have made many of the dimensions and space modules pro-
posed in the Red Book obsolete. However, the basic concepts of integrating building services
and using a systems approach for problem definition and solution in design and construction still
remain valid.
SUPPLEMENT TO RESEARCH STUDY REPORT
VA HOSPITAL BUILDING SYSTEM
SECTION 2-1
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