The University of Kansas Health System Emergency Department Expansion, Kansas City, Kan.
In February 2024, The University of Kansas Health System (Kansas City, Kan.) unveiled an emergency department (ED) expansion on the dense, urban campus of The University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kan., to address rising patient volumes.
The phased project adds 49,900 square feet across four levels, each serving a distinct function. The new ground floor drop-off improves patient access and flow, while dedicated staff areas on the adjacent Lower Level provide vital training room space, offices, and a respite room. Level 1 provides additional treatment rooms and advanced imaging capabilities, joining the existing ED clinical areas. The expansion on Level 2 houses shell space that is currently being developed for the cardiovascular program.
Construction for the expansion took approximately 2 1/2 years and occurred within an active hospital, making uninterrupted operations a top priority. Careful phasing and close collaboration ensured continuous care delivery with minimal disruption.
For example, architecture and interior design firm Pulse Design Group (Kansas City, Mo.) and general contractor JE Dunn Construction (Kansas City, Mo.) worked with hospital staff to implement a multiphase approach, ensuring that at least one CT scanner remained operational at all times.
University of Kansas Hospital ED expansion
Completed in February 2024, the ED features a split-level entry, where patients are quickly assessed and directed either to a large, newly expanded waiting room or transported via dedicated trauma elevator directly into the core of the ED, bypassing the main waiting room entrance.
Furthermore, the layout of the expansion is designed to maximize visibility, speed of response, and ease of navigation for both staff and patients. Treatment rooms are arranged in a racetrack layout along the building perimeter. Nurses’ stations are planned to provide clear line of site into treatment rooms and located throughout the department to enable faster response times.
HCD Conference community tour
As part of the 2025 HCD Conference + Expo (Oct. 25-28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo.), The University of Kansas Health System ED expansion will be one of the preconference community tours offered to attendees on Saturday, Oct. 25. Space is limited and preregistration is required at hcdexpo.com.
The University of Kansas Health System Emergency Department Expansion project details
Location: Kansas City, Kan.
Completion date: February 2024
Owner: The University of Kansas Health System
Total building area: 49,900 sq. ft.
Total construction cost: $29 million
Cost/sq. ft.: $600/sq. ft.
Architect: Pulse Design Group
Interior designer: Pulse Design Group
General contractor: JE Dunn Construction
Engineer: Brack and Associates (engineering), Bob D. Campbell (structural), Henderson Engineers (life safety), McClure (civil)
Medical equipment planner: Pulse Design Group
Art/pictures: Art & Frame Warehouse
AV equipment/electronics/software: AVI Systems
Carpet/flooring: Mohawk, Shaw, Flexco, Iris US, Desco Coatings, Polyflor
Ceiling/wall systems: Armstrong, Price
Doors/locks/hardware: Allegion
Furniture—seating/casegoods: Circadia
Handrails/wall guards: Inpro, CS Acrovyn
Headwalls/booms: Stryker
Lighting: Stryker
Signage/wayfinding: KC Custom Signs
Surfaces—solid/other: LG Hausys, Corian, Shield Casework
Wallcoverings: Wilsonart (laminate panels); Inpro (graphic wall protection murals)
Other: Iris US, American Olean
Project details are provided by the design team and not vetted by Healthcare Design.
