Gresham Smith Selected to Design Veterans Affairs Clinic in Florida
Gresham Smith is proud to announce that the firm has been selected to design a new outpatient clinic for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Lakeland, Florida. The firm will partner with The Molasky Group of Companies, developer and leader of the design-build project, and The Korte Company, who will serve as general contractor.
The new veteran’s clinic aims to expand access to high-quality healthcare for veterans in Polk and Hillsborough counties, and will consolidate and expand the VA’s current facilities in Lakeland. At 132,000 gross square feet—five times bigger than the existing clinic space—the outpatient facility will house primary care, audiology and speech pathology, physical therapy, mental health, ophthalmology, and prosthetic and sensory aid services. The clinic will also feature a lab and pharmacy, as well as CT, X-Ray, mammography, MRI and ultrasound technologies.
“Gresham Smith is proud to partner with The Molasky Group and The Korte Company on this important project for the Lakeland Community and our country’s veterans,” said Shannon Drake, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Project Manager and Design Leader at Gresham Smith. “Using human-centered design principles, our team will focus on the needs of the veteran population, while also designing a space that utilizes the latest technology to enhance quality of care and has flexibility for the future. When complete, the new outpatient clinic will meet the healthcare needs of veterans in the Lakeland community for years to come.”
Sitting on 26 acres adjacent to Holloway Park, the site will include a healing garden and al-fresco dining to connect visitors to nature, while a staff patio and balconies will provide fresh-air and respite. To bring the outdoors in, expanses of glazing on the clinic’s exterior will flood the public corridors with natural light, while strategic wayfinding elements will ease visual and physical access. The interior palette will reflect Florida’s natural habitat, using cool earth tones, natural stone and wood elements to create connections to nature and the surrounding community. Within each clinic, patient care spaces are arranged around a central staff area, which will create operational efficiencies, encourage collaboration, and enhance the patient experience.
The project is anticipated to be complete in late 2023.
