Where Innovative Engineering Meets Equitable Care
KAI served as the Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Protection (MEPFP) Engineer for a new medical clinic developed by JPS Health Network to serve the Fort Worth Wedgewood neighborhood in Southwest Tarrant County. Designed to support integrated care, the clinic brings behavioral health specialists and primary care physicians together in a shared space, allowing patients to access a full spectrum of services—including counseling, medication management and primary care—under one roof.
The MEP engineering design ensured the facility could support this collaborative model of care, with systems engineered for efficiency, comfort and flexibility to meet the specialized needs of both medical and behavioral health services. The result is a modern, patient-centered clinic that enhances access to comprehensive care while helping prevent avoidable hospitalizations.
Collaboration Between KAI Engineers, Client and Architectural Firm for Streamlined Decision Making
During the design phase, KAI’s engineers guided the client through three iterations of pricing and equipment options, including whether to place air handling units (AHUs) on the roof or inside the building. KAI provided detailed side-by-side comparisons of system sizing, cost, and performance, helping the client confidently choose a rooftop configuration with six units centered on the building. Despite coordination challenges at the far corners, KAI collaborated closely with the contractor to detect and resolve clashes early. Thanks to thorough upfront research, shop drawings were approved quickly, and the installed ductwork precisely matched the design, streamlining construction and ensuring system performance.
KAI’s Engineering team demonstrated their expertise by recognizing the key operational differences between hospital and clinic environments. While hospitals require 24/7 system operation, clinics like the new JPS Health Network facility operate on a more limited schedule, allowing for greater energy-saving opportunities. Understanding this, KAI’s MEPFP engineering design team created systems with distinct occupied and unoccupied modes, tailoring controls to reduce energy use when the clinic is not in operation. They also implemented an economizing mode, allowing the building to take advantage of outdoor air conditions to maintain comfort while maximizing efficiency—resulting in a smarter, more sustainable facility tailored to the clinic’s specific needs.
The collaboration between the Engineering team and SBL Architecture has been noticeably effective, marked by strong relationships and a clear emphasis on alignment between our two teams before client engagement. This coordination encouraged a symbiotic approach with the client bringing cohesive, well-developed solutions rather than isolated problems, reflecting a consistently proactive and unified working dynamic.
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Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Plumbing Engineering, Engineering
"JPS Health Network, you are the light of health, healing and hope for communities that are still living in darkened spaces. I am not the light. I am but a watcher on the wall who was sent to make sure that light continues to burn for those who need it."
The Impact
Healthcare access, delivered.
Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks believed every resident of Tarrant County—regardless of zip code—deserved access to quality care. The new Medical Home Southwest Tarrant fulfills that belief by bringing comprehensive medical and behavioral health services under one roof in the heart of the Wedgewood community. It’s the first step in a bold $2.1B expansion plan, and a reflection of Brooks’ enduring impact on the health and dignity of the region he served.
