Supai Health Clinic + Staff Living Quarters

---

In partnership with the Havasupai Tribe, the Indian Health Service (IHS) opened a new 12,700-square-foot health facility in the remote Havasupai Canyon within the Grand Canyon. This state-of-the-art clinic replaces a 2,200-square-foot facility from 1972 and provides:

• Primary care
• Dental services
• Pharmacy
• Lab
• Radiology
• Podiatry
• Optometry
• Maternal health
• Psychiatry
• Substance abuse treatment

Accessible only by helicopter, mule/horse, or on foot, the clinic serves approximately 1,000 tribal members in one of the world's most isolated locations. The design honors the tribe's cultural history with colors inspired by the canyon walls and waterfalls. 

This replacement project was identified as a priority in 2002 but faced over 20 years of planning and delays. Funding was finally secured in 2019, with construction beginning in 2020 but postponed due to COVID-19 until late 2021. 

The mechanical design for this unique project had to be sensitive to the electrical demands for this remote location and weight of equipment due to the only method for material delivery was by helicopter or mule. The building is conditioned by multiple high-efficiency split system heat pumps that provide superior temperature control with compact equipment dimensions and weights. The building has been provided with an Energy Management and Control System integrated to the factory controllers for remote monitoring by the Area Service Unit. The plumbing and fire protection designs were coordinated with the raised building to ensure the systems were protected and remained operational during any periods of flooding that commonly occur in the canyon.

Photos © 2024 Kyle Zirkus Photo