CHARLES HARDWOOD MEDICAL CENTER

LOCATION: ST. CROIX, USVI

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 250,000 SF

PROJECT ARCHITECT: BETTY QUINTANA

ARCHITECTURE FIRM: FLAD ARCHITECTS

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

THE PROJECT IS A NEW FIVE-STORY, TYPE I-B, FULLY SPRINKLERED OUTPATIENT CLINICAL FACILITY WITH SUPPORTING OFFICE, ASSEMBLY, AND STORAGE USES. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES CLINICAL SERVICES, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES, CLASSROOMS, CONFERENCE AREAS, EXERCISE ROOMS, A COMMERCIAL KITCHEN, VOCATIONAL SPACES, AND ENCLOSED PARKING. OCCUPANCIES INCLUDE BUSINESS (GROUP B), ASSEMBLY (GROUP A-2 AND A-3), STORAGE (GROUP S-2), AND UTILITY (GROUP U), DESIGNED AS NON-SEPARATED MIXED-USE OCCUPANCIES.

THE TOTAL BUILDING AREA IS APPROXIMATELY 245,655 SQUARE FEET, WITH A MECHANICAL PENTHOUSE AND ENCLOSED PARKING LEVEL. THE STRUCTURE IS NON-COMBUSTIBLE CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION WITH A CURTAIN WALL AND PRECAST FAÇADE SYSTEM. THE OVERALL BUILDING HEIGHT IS 82 FEET ABOVE GRADE.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

LED AND COORDINATED THE DESIGN OF THE EXTERIOR ENVELOPE WHILE ALSO WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE INTERIORS TEAM ALONGSIDE THE PROJECT DESIGNER DURING THE ORIGINAL DESIGN OF THE BUILDING. FOLLOWING A CONTINGENCY REVIEW THAT REQUIRED THE REMOVAL OF ONE FLOOR, I TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REDESIGN, LEADING, COORDINATING, DESIGNING, AND PRODUCING ALL ASPECTS OF THE EXTERIOR ENVELOPE, AS WELL AS INDEPENDENTLY MANAGING THE INTERIOR COORDINATION. IN THIS ROLE, I ORGANIZED AND LED MEETINGS WITH PROJECT CONSULTANTS, PARTICULARLY THE STRUCTURAL ENGINEER, AND OVERSAW THE COORDINATION OF KEY ELEMENTS SUCH AS THE ELEVATOR SHAFTS, MECHANICAL PENTHOUSE, AND ROOF TERRACES. I ALSO ENGAGED WITH MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVES TO EVALUATE BUILDING SYSTEMS, WITH A FOCUS ON GREEN ROOFS AND PAVER SYSTEMS, ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROJECT’S LOCATION AND CLIMATE REQUIREMENTS.