Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility Addition
A significant expansion of the Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility incorporated a 96-bed addition to the existing healthcare center across a 10-acre area. Additional plans include the construction of a new 100-space surface parking lot and a state-of-the-art central plant to support the facility's operations.
CHALLENGE
Because it serves patients committed for psychiatric evaluation and treatment due to criminal activity, the facility's expansion required intricate planning. Design considerations had to prioritize heightened security and protection due to the facility's sensitive function, coupled with a crucial reevaluation of internal traffic circulation to accommodate the expansion. The project’s complexity was heightened due to the indeterminate status and replacement of existing utility systems.
SOLUTION
Augmenting the secure medical facility required a thorough assessment and mapping of pre-existing utilities to determine the feasibility of integration, relocation, or redesign. Collaboration with the design team was crucial to phasing construction while employing methods that would not disrupt the daily operations of the institution nor compromise the security and segregation of the patient population. This logistical planning also extended to permitting various types of vehicles – from small service vans to large supply trucks – to navigate and operate within the site securely and efficiently. Infrastructure enhancements to support the expanded facility included a newly built central energy plant, the installation of comprehensive hot and chilled water systems, and significant upgrades to stormwater management, sewage, and water distribution networks.