LAKE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY

LOCATION: CLERMONT, FLORIDA

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 344,439 SF

PROJECT ARCHITECT: ALEX RODRIGUEZ

ARCHITECTURE FIRM: HELLMUTH, OBATA + KASSABAUM (HOK)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

THE PROJECT IS A NEW FIVE-STORY, TYPE I-B, FULLY SPRINKLERED MIXED-USE DETENTION AND CORRECTIONAL FACILITY. THE BUILDING INCLUDES CELL AND DAY-ROOM AREAS, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES, DINING AND KITCHEN FACILITIES, CONFERENCE ROOMS, RECREATIONAL SPACES, AND ASSEMBLY AREAS. DESIGNED AS A NON-SEPARATED OCCUPANCY, THE FACILITY WILL BE CONSTRUCTED IN ITS ENTIRETY DURING A SINGLE PHASE.

THE STRUCTURE CONSISTS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE WITH A CURTAIN WALL SYSTEM AND INSULATED PRECAST FAÇADE PANELS. THE TOTAL BUILDING HEIGHT IS 80 FEET.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

LED AND COORDINATED BOTH THE EXTERIOR ENVELOPE AND THE INTERIOR PROGRAM OF THE BUILDING, WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE PROJECT ARCHITECT AND OVERSEEING THE PRODUCTION OF THE PROJECT IN ITS ENTIRETY. AS PART OF THIS ROLE, I ORGANIZED AND LED MEETINGS WITH CONSULTANTS AND MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVES TO EVALUATE INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS AND SOLUTIONS FOR THE EXTERIOR ENVELOPE. THIS WAS MY FIRST TIME WORKING ON A PROJECT WITH THE UNIQUE CONSTRAINTS OF A DETENTION AND CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, WHICH ADDED AN ADDITIONAL LAYER OF TECHNICAL AND REGULATORY COMPLEXITY TO THE DESIGN PROCESS. ULTIMATELY, THIS PROJECT BECAME A PIVOTAL MOMENT IN MY CAREER, AS IT SPARKED A STRONG INTEREST IN THE DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE OF BUILDING ENVELOPES.