Raising the Bar in Tilt-Wall Construction

Full-panel tilt-wall construction projects don’t typically stretch 75 feet into the sky — especially when it comes to medical office buildings. But on the Harris Health campus in Houston, Texas, Baker Construction is doing just that, raising some of the tallest tilt-wall panels in the region.

Pushing the Limits of Tilt-Wall Construction

The four-story, 140,000-square-foot medical office building will house Harris Health’s central pharmacy and related departments. Unlike most multistory tilt-wall construction projects, where smaller panels are stacked like dominos, this facility was designed with approximately 65 single tilt-wall concrete panels running from foundation to roofline.

At 75 feet tall and 12.5 inches thick, these tilt-wall panels are engineered not just as exterior walls but as structural components carrying the weight of the building. This design choice eliminates the need for traditional steel framing and positions the project among the tallest tilt-up construction achievements in Houston.

Taking on this challenge requires both technical expertise in structural concrete panels and the ability to deliver complex solutions that keep clients’ long-term goals in focus.

Craftsmanship Without Compromise

To break up the surface and add visual interest, the architectural face of the panels features ribbed contours. Achieving the contours required 45,000 square feet of form liner and absolute precision; each four-by-ten-foot section of form work had to align perfectly.

Through extensive planning and coordination, Baker Construction’s craftworkers executed this detail-heavy scope with exacting standards. The result is a seamless finish across the face of the building.

Smarter Solutions on a Tight Site

Working on an active hospital campus brings its own set of challenges. With virtually no room for staging materials, Baker Construction’s team has relied on just-in-time delivery — bringing in what was needed, when it was needed, and immediately putting it in place.

Casting the 75-foot tilt-wall panels on site also required creative logistics. Forming, lifting, and setting the panels demanded space for casting beds and cranes, all while keeping hospital operations undisturbed. Strategic planning and close collaboration with the client, Skanska, has kept the project moving safely and efficiently.

These solutions reflect Baker’s ability to deliver safer, smarter, faster, and better results — not just in concept, but in daily execution.

Built on Collaboration and Trust

The Harris Health project is also a story of trusted partnership. Baker Construction has a long-standing relationship with Skanska, having worked on several Skanska projects across the country. In this instance, the Skanska team on the Harris Health engagement had just completed another project in the region. As they prepared to roll onto the central pharmacy project, they expressed interest in bringing the Baker team with them.

The decision reflected more than Baker’s extensive tilt-wall construction experience. It was also about working with a team that values collaboration, thrives on challenge, and excels at safely executing high-quality work in high-stakes environments.

Building Better Lives

While the tilt-wall panels themselves are impressive, the purpose behind the building is equally important. Harris Health is the public healthcare safety-net provider for Harris County, serving low-income, uninsured, and underinsured residents. The new central pharmacy will give the health system greater flexibility, enabling more efficient care today and adaptability for tomorrow.

The project is expected to be completed in August 2026.