Healing Campus to Provide Residential Rehab, Treatment Services for Homeless Veterans

A new outpatient clinic and domiciliary has been planned for the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System.

The new campus will consolidate existing mental health and primary care services into a single campus designed to serve the area’s 45,000 veterans. The 173,500-square-foot outpatient clinic will feature the VA’s Patient Aligned Pact Care Team model of care, which centers on patient-driven, proactive, personalized and team-based care, and a 28,500-square-foot domiciliary will provide residential rehab and treatment services for homeless veterans.

Inspired by the natural beauty found in Florida, the clinic’s architectural and interior design focus on sustainably designed spaces to deliver primary care, mental health services, radiology, optometry, multi-specialty, physical medicine and rehab, audiology and pathology services. Additional features include a large imaging program with MRI, CT and women’s imaging center, as well as substance abuse, homeless and PTSD treatment programs in a home-like setting. Large windows, warm tones and natural elements create a fresh and relaxing environment for veterans and their families. Visual continuity between the interior and exterior of the building unifies the design. Similar materials, colors and proportions will be carried from the main entry, through the lobby atrium and public concourse, and into the patient rooms.

A large atrium creates a strong connection between the first and second floors, and intuitive wayfinding allows the lobby space to act as a central hub. Efficient clinical space layout allows staff to spend more time with patients, protects patient privacy and minimizes fatigue.

Designed to be integral and connected to the main clinic, the domiciliary features light blues and warm wood tones, adding to the resort-like feel of the space. The patient wings are arranged around a central nurse station allowing for visibility to each patient wing. The nurse station sits under a wood plank ceiling adding warmth to the space, and each patient wing is easily identified by a glass wall treatment with a number, making it easy for patients and staff to navigate.

The project will be built to achieve two Green Globes for New Construction, based on its sustainable, healthy and resilient building design. This holistic approach to sustainability is present in both the building and site through climate-responsive design, high-performance glazing, energy-efficient lighting, water efficiency through native landscapes and an onsite detention basin.

The multidisciplinary team includes Hoefer Welker (architect), USFP (developer/owner), Meyer Najem Construction (general contractor), Sain Associates (civil engineer); Bob D. Campbell & Co. (structural engineer); Smith & Boucher, Inc. (mechanical engineer); Land3 Studio LLC (landscape architect); FSC, Inc. (life safety) and Protection Engineering (blast engineer).