Expanding Care Beyond The Campus

When demand outpaced existing facilities, University of Iowa Health Care needed a new approach to expansion.

The UIHC North Liberty campus – a 60-acre, 470,000-square-foot hospital and clinic – extends care beyond the main campus in Iowa City while redefining how patients experience it.

With no existing infrastructure, every decision – from utility layouts and site grading to traffic flow – had to support the campus from day one. Shive-Hattery partnered with Neumann Monson Architects and Genus Landscape Architects to create a cohesive vision for the site, UIHC’s first off-campus project of this scale.

Case Study

UIHC North Liberty Campus at a Glance

• 60-acre greenfield site
• 470,000 SF hospital and outpatient clinic
• $14M in site development
• 8 surface parking lots totaling 475,000 SF
• Nearly 1,200 parking spaces, including ADA and EV accommodations
• Opened April 2025

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Every detail of the North Liberty campus supports UI Health Care’s commitment to patient care and future growth.

University of Iowa HealthCare (UIHC) North Liberty Clinic Civil Engineering

Building from the Ground Up

Unlike traditional expansions, the North Liberty campus required building an ecosystem from the ground up.

Utilities were extended to the project site. Stormwater systems were designed to limit peak runoff for a previously agricultural property. Traffic planning required coordination across multiple jurisdictions. The site also needed flexibility for future buildings and parking expansion.

Only part of the site was developed, preserving room for future phases.

Selecting concrete over asphalt prioritized durability and reduced long-term maintenance.

“Designing on a greenfield site at this scale meant everything had to be built from the ground up – utilities, grading, stormwater systems – all while planning for what the site could become in the future. Every decision had to work for today and still make sense 10 or 20 years from now.”

— Ted Schmidt, Civil Engineer + Principal, Shive-Hattery

Designing for Patients Before They Enter the Building

Large medical campuses can feel overwhelming, so UIHC focused on making arrival and navigation intuitive. Sidewalk grades, ADA-accessible routes, pedestrian pathways, parking layouts, and wayfinding were designed to create a welcoming experience from the moment patients arrive.

With nearly 1,200 parking spaces across eight lots, connected pathways and circulation routes help patients move through the campus with confidence.

Genus designed clear circulation and connected pathways that traverse landscaped spaces to help reduce stress and create a more welcoming experience.

A Healing Environment, Inside and Out

While the facility delivers advanced care, the surrounding site also supports well-being.

Stormwater ponds and native plantings do more than manage runoff, they restore ecological value and create a connection to nature. The lower pond has become habitat for dozens of duck species and was intentionally stocked with fish to support a healthy aquatic ecosystem.

To maintain water quality, the team incorporated aeration bubblers rather than fountains, minimizing airborne water droplets in a healthcare setting.

Together with views of the natural environment and daylight, these features extend healing beyond the building.

The Power of a Trusted Partnership

A long-standing relationship among UIHC, Neumann Monson, and Shive-Hattery provided the foundation to take on a first-of-its-kind greenfield hospital site together.

“UIHC trusted us to take on something new with them. That kind of long-term relationship allows you to move faster, solve problems more openly, and bring the right expertise in at the right time.”

— Tracy Longo, Shive-Hattery Vice President and Director of Higher Education + Healthcare

Expanding to North Liberty was about more than adding space. It was about improving access to care and creating an environment that supports patients, staff, and the community.

Designing What Matters

The UIHC North Liberty campus demonstrates how thoughtful site design can expand access to care while supporting patients, staff, and the surrounding community.

Because designing what matters means considering everyone it impacts – patients, families, providers, communities, and the environment.