Mayo Clinic Health System - La Crosse
2026 Engineering Excellence Best of State
Entering Firm: IMEG
Client: Kahler Slater
Mayo Clinic Health System developed the La Crosse Patient Tower to meet growing healthcare demands while prioritizing sustainability, efficiency, and community well-being. The $215 million, six-level addition required thoughtful engineering to support modern care delivery, reduce energy use, and provide an inspiring environment for patients and employees.
Engineers focused on sustainable elements for a new hospital expansion, keeping costs down while maximizing patient comfort.
IMEG provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, security technology, energy modeling, and construction administration services – delivering the unseen infrastructure essentials in a high-performing facility. The design focus was long-term sustainability and integration with existing campus infrastructure. The energy strategy cornerstone is a 540-ton geothermal central plant that uses groundwater to regulate building temperatures. This system delivers 24 percent greater efficiency than traditional systems and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 42 percent.
A fully LED lighting system with intelligent load management controls, energy-efficient exterior assemblies, and individual patient room cooling to improve comfort and control. Despite tight spatial constraints and complex equipment requirements, the team adopted an innovative approach by pre-ordering major electrical equipment before final design. This strategy allowed room layouts to be optimized early and avoided costly changes during construction.
“IMEG designed customized, innovative, and award-worthy mechanicals built around key equipment and lighting and system designs that reflect the needs of patients and employees now and into the future. The impressive sustainability considerations reduced energy usage and provided cost savings.”
- Awards Judge Errin Welty
The result is a highly flexible facility with energy use intensity well below industry standards. Designed with scalability and adaptability in mind, the Patient Tower supports evolving healthcare technologies and care models, delivering long-term value for Mayo Clinic and the La Crosse community.