The University of Iowa could be forced to spend more than $50 million to replace damaged windows throughout its children’s hospital.
The announcement is the latest in a long-running headache for Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital, which has dealt with delamination and cracking in hundreds of windows since construction was completed in 2017.
The Gazette, which has covered the issue since the start, reported that the university recently requested an additional $7.2 million from 2023’s original budget of $45 million to replace the cracked and damaged windows. The new sum of $52 million surpasses 2021’s original estimation of between $10 and $15 million to replace windows on two floors.
The Gazette reports that board documents indicate the condition of the windows at Children’s Hospital, including the building’s slot windows, has worsened, and replacement is necessary for safety and maintaining the building envelope integrity.
Per a lawsuit filed by Iowa in June 2022 against Knutson Construction Services Midwest Inc. and Cupples International Inc., the university became aware of issues with the building’s windows during and after construction. It blamed Knutson Midwest Inc. and Cupples for installing a defective curtainwall system and faulty insulating glass units. The university argues the contractors refused to repair the defects.
“Unfortunately, the contractors have not accepted responsibility for replacing the defective windows,” Iowa Hospitals and Clinics’ then-interim CEO Kimberly Hunter told reporters at a press conference on June 10, 2022.
A judge dismissed the case without prejudice in January 2024, meaning Iowa can retry it. However, Children’s Hospital officials told The Gazette that the case remains open and in arbitration.
Iowa’s contract with Knutson Midwest Inc. included window installation on levels one, two and 12 and a bridge connecting the hospital with the main campus. The contract with Cupples involved installing the curtainwall system on floors three through 11. Guardian Glass was the float glass supplier, Cristacurva was the fabricator, and Kuraray supplied the interlayer.
Children’s Hospital has installed a temporary film on the windows until permanent replacements are made. The work is scheduled to last until late 2026.
Source: USGlass with additional information added by GlassBalkan
