The Power of Partnership: TOA Spring Hill Medical Office Building
When Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance (TOA) planned its brand-new medical office building in Spring Hill, Tennessee, they wanted to make a statement. The facility needed to physically reflect the high level of care, ingenuity, and innovation they provide to patients every day — combining contemporary comforts with elevated service.
The design and construction team of TMP and Batten Shaw Construction (BSC) worked in tandem from the beginning to deliver a successful, stunning facility.
“This project is significant for TMP and BSC,” says Adam Vanhooser, Associate Principal and Project Manager at TMP. “Most Spring Hill residents had to travel to Nashville for care, so with this expansion, TOA wanted a flagship facility.”
Two Roles, One Team
TMP and BSC share a strong one-team mentality, understanding that a positive outcome requires cooperation, compromise, and problem-solving. The two companies began the project relationship early, at the design development phase. TMP had done the initial drawings for the building, and BSC reviewed them, provided commentary, and made sure pricing aligned with the budget.
“We worked together throughout the project to solve problems,” Vanhooser says. “If something in the design didn’t work or needed to be changed, BSC brought solutions to the table, which was very appreciated. It was a true partnership.”
That partnership was put to the test when the team faced a complex challenge: navigating a city-wide utility freeze while simultaneously expanding the building’s capabilities.
The City of Spring Hill was under a sewer moratorium, legally freezing new connections to the municipal wastewater system. During this moratorium, an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) was added to the second floor of the building after the initial scope had already been approved.
“There was a very real scenario where the ASC would be left hanging because of the moratorium,” Vanhooser says.
To protect the client’s schedule, TMP and BSC worked with the City and made sure the ASC’s capacity and fees were included in the medical office building scope, so when it came time to submit the ASC for permit, it was treated as an amendment to the current permit versus a new application that could have stalled the project.
“The project team and inspectors collaborated to allow early work like slab plumbing, adding structural steel, and other preparation items for the future ASC buildout,” says Ryan Banner, Project Manager with BSC.
Consistency Throughout
Another key to the team’s success was having the same people working on the project from start to finish. Not only did this create consistency for the client, but TMP and BSC didn’t have to worry about a loss or transfer of information from either partner.
"From the contractor's perspective, alignment and continuity with the design team provided quick clarification of intent, collaborative solutions throughout construction, and the confidence that the project's vision would be maintained from start to finish," says Banner.
"Consistent teams throughout the entire process is at the heart of TMP's culture," Vanhooser adds. "It provides immense value for the client and strengthens the relationship with our industry partners like BSC."
For landmark projects like the TOA Medical Office Building, a strong, collaborative team isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s a must. When a designer and general contractor trust each other, the real winner is the client. The seamless alignment between TMP and BSC meant that potential challenges stayed behind the scenes, leaving the project’s timeline and quality uncompromised.
The new facility stands ready to serve Spring Hill and is a highly functional space where architecture meets execution, built on a solid partnership.
