Irving, TX
Christus Health, one of the largest nonprofit healthcare systems in the country, has created a new headquarters that will go beyond housing executives; it will coordinate care across more than 600 hospitals and facilities throughout North and South America. The new 15-story corporate HQ in Irving, TX, is a bold, ground-up construction integrating nearly 200 AV-equipped environments, including boardrooms, conference rooms, a security operations center, a chapel, and even a fitness studio.
Ford AV was selected to design and install the audiovisual infrastructure to power collaboration, streamline communication, and support global healthcare operations.
Managing AV Integration Through Ongoing Design Changes
While the building itself was a new construction, the design process was anything but static. As construction progressed, Christus Health continued to revise room layouts, functions, and technology needs, requiring AV redesign work.
“This extensive redesign work was often while installations were happening concurrently, but successful time management and delegation allowed us to meet expectations and even make the project more successful.”
— Phillip Pappadakes, Ford AV
Leadership and Teamwork in Enterprise AV Installations
Engineers and technicians stepped into a dual role, both executing installations and leading redesign efforts as space requirements shifted. Personalized technician training, effective planning, and constant communication across trades to ensure nothing derailed the project.
“Our technicians are the backbone of our company. Effective planning, constant communication, and personalized training allowed us to overcome hurdles, think outside the box, and deliver an exceptional experience.”
— Chris Taylor, Ford AV
Early wins, such as the boardroom being operational for executive use ahead of project completion, built momentum and reinforced client trust.
Enterprise AV Solutions Implemented at Christus HQ
Microsoft Teams and Zoom Room Integration for Healthcare Communication
One enhancement was the integration of Microsoft Teams and Zoom Rooms throughout the building. These cloud-based conferencing platforms transformed how Christus HQ communicates with its far-reaching network of hospitals and care centers. In their previous headquarters, video conferencing was limited. Now, staff can launch virtual meetings across departments, time zones, and continents, with consistent performance and intuitive user interfaces.
Executive Boardroom on the 15th Floor
At the top of the tower, Ford outfitted a premier executive boardroom with a Planar video wall and customized interfaces designed for high-impact presentations and leadership meetings. This space was operational well before final project turnover and hosted a showcase event for key stakeholders from across the Christus network. The early success of this space, built under intense time constraints, was a clear demonstration of Ford’s ability to deliver under pressure.
Third Floor Divisible Conference Rooms
One of the most complex spaces was a suite of divisible conference rooms on the third floor. The space is configurable into four distinct rooms or opened for larger gatherings. Each room features a consistent interface, five projector lifts with screens, 20 floor boxes, 56 ceiling speakers, and more than 150 long-distance cable pulls. This integration allows for maximum flexibility in usage, from small team meetings to large staff-wide events, while maintaining uniform usability across configurations.
Specialized Spaces: Chapel, Security Operations Center, and More
The scope extended beyond traditional meeting rooms. In the on-site chapel, installers had to creatively integrate AV systems into a floating cloth ceiling without disturbing the architectural aesthetic. The security operations center required reliable systems for 24/7 monitoring and coordination. Additionally, ambient music systems were installed on balconies to improve outdoor environments, and a fitness studio was equipped to support wellness initiatives for employees.
Centralized AV System Management
With nearly 200 AV-enabled spaces, system oversight was essential. The IT team can now monitor, update, and troubleshoot AV components remotely using system management tools deployed during the project. This visibility and control, entirely new for their team, ensures long-term maintainability and reduces the need for room-to-room service calls.
Enhanced Collaboration, Real-World Impact
The new headquarters is a platform for collaboration and care. Every integrated space is now a tool for better communication, faster decision-making, and more connected patient care. Ford’s work made this possible by transforming each room into a purposeful environment tailored for real-world use.
“I’ve been back to the site multiple times since completion. Unlike many headquarters where rooms sit empty, almost every space at Christus is in regular use. That tells me we delivered the right solutions.”
— Phillip Pappadakes, Ford AV
The Christus Health HQ project is an example of what happens when AV expertise meets adaptability and deep customer care.
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