TxDOT – Hopkins County Safety Rest Area

Hopkins County, Texas

The project is located each side I.H. 30, approximately 16 miles east of Greenville, Texas near the town of Cumby. Both East Bound and West Bound sites are heavily wooded with segregated areas of open pastureland.  A natural creek runs through and bisects both sites.  This setting provides a natural park theme which is carried throughout the design.  Steel trusses simulate tree forms and shapes. Natural red cedar is used for ceilings. Natural sandstone is used for exterior and interior wall veneers. Galvanized standing seam roof systems are used to provide a natural feel and sustainable design. Main lobbies contain full clear glass curtain walls to provide panoramic views of the surrounding natural environs.

The facility’s primary purpose is to prevent road weariness and accidents by attracting drivers to break for a few minutes.  Educational and interactive exhibit areas are used for this purpose which illustrate the local culture and history as well as provide information on the native surroundings.  Amenities include storm shelters, DPS Offices, vending areas, restrooms and video surveillance systems.

Nature trails stroll through the park which connect parking areas to the main buildings as well as private picnic arbors and secure themed playgrounds.  Security lighting is provided throughout pedestrian ways, parking areas and nature trails.

THHSC – Renovation of Heatly Building

Vernon, Texas

SLA designed the renovation to the Heatly Building 701 at North Texas State Hospital in Vernon, Texas for the Health and Human Services Commission. The overall project consisted of the renovation of 69,776sf of a single story facility. The renovation accommodates the relocation of the Adolescent Forensic Program (AFP) from their previous location.

The building was originally construction in 1971 and designed as an Academic Center that included five major pods consisting of classrooms, infirmary, administrative, natatorium, and gymnasium space along with a connecting corridor. The design for the renovation addresses the reconfiguration of interior spaces along with modifications, upgrades and repairs to the major building systems in support of the reconfiguration, Life Safety Code requirements, and ADA Upgrades. The primary renovation space is 45,000sf.  Interior work included selective demolition, hazardous material abatement, concrete work, roofing, EIFS cladding of existing walls, flooring, drywall, masonry, tiling, suspended ceilings, millwork, doors and hardware, aluminum storefront, wheelchair lift, fire alarm, fire sprinkler, and more.

Design for the project was completed in late 2015 with the construction completed in January of 2017.

Dr. Johnson’s Pediatric Clinic

Wichita Falls, Texas

SLA completed the design for a new Pediatric Clinic for Dr. Terry Johnson in August of 2014 with the construction completed in May of 2016.  Located in the Cherokee Industrial Park near the Kickapoo Airport in a rural area on the outskirts of Wichita Falls, the Clinic is designed for eight medical providers with associated Nursing and Support staff offering clinical services in 22 exam rooms.  Waiting room space accommodates 116 total and is segregated to provide separate sick waiting and play space.  Support functions and employee areas are arranged in the central building core, which includes a tornado shelter.  The 11,200sf building is a single story structure sitting on three acres.  Site development included a significant amount of space dedicated to paved parking for patients and staff.  The Clinic is designed with a conventionally-framed, structural steel superstructure on a reinforced concrete slab-on-grade with drilled pier foundation system.  The building’s exterior envelope is designed with cold-formed steel framing with insulated sheathing and a combination of both EIFS and Adhered Stone Veneer masonry.  The building interior consists of board partitions, suspended acoustical ceilings, carpet and vinyl tile flooring, wood doors in steel frames, millwork cabinets, solid surface and plastic laminate counters.

Lobby Design for Museum of the Great Plains

Lawton, Oklahoma

The Museum of the Great Plains underwent a major renovation of both the main entry lobby and the exhibit space.  SLA Architects was contracted to redesign the 2800sf lobby area to include a museum store, benefactor displays, and queue space for visiting guests. The lobby acts as a transition through the facility as the guests enter the main entry and venture into the exhibit space.

The museum provides a “hands-on” environment to its visitors and the lobby renovation compliments this experience with its use of natural materials and linear forms.  Wood finishes on the ceilings and in the details of the space along with some industrial touches harken the melding of past and present.  Natural light is infused throughout allowing the lobby to grow beyond its footprint.

In the center of it all is the museum store, doubling as a control point for both exhibit and administrative access.  The store acts as the hub of the lobby.  Its features are demure, allowing the museum wares and displays to provide the visual enticement as visitors browse at their convenience.

Another key feature of the lobby renovation is the eye-catching attraction that is the donor wall.  Custom engraved brass buffaloes designate benefactors and their contributions.  Buffaloes are mounted on a rolling plains backdrop handcrafted from wood and leather which aesthetically ties into the overall design and influence of the region.

The new lobby renovation provides the needed space and function to transition from entry to exhibit while maintaining a sense of place for itself.

Wichita Falls ISD – Barwise Middle School & McNiel Junior High

Wichita Falls, Texas

SLA Architects, in conjunction with Perkins + Will – Dallas, provided programming, planning services, and project budget numbers for Barwise Middle School and McNiel Junior High School additions and renovations.  The design for the two middle schools was half of the total 2015 bond, with the other half for the construction of a new Career Technology Center.

SLA performed an initial assessment of the two buildings and provided a concept design based on the space planning and programming that was required to meet the needs of students.  Both middle schools saw an increase in student enrollment as the School Board voted to close a different middle school campus.  This resulted in an increase of roughly 400 students to each campus.  The additions included new classrooms, kitchens, locker and dressing rooms, and fine arts areas.

SLA, along with Perkins + Will, provided the Opinion of Probable Cost and worked together (along with the school district personnel) to develop the public presentation package to inform the community of the proposed changes.  The bond was voted on and passed in May of 2015.

We then provided the construction drawings and specs.  At the outset, the District established and acknowledged very tight budgets and schedules.  Our assigned task was to meet both of these restraints.  To fast-track the design process, we split the design into three packages for both campuses, which allowed work to proceed prior to the completion of the architectural drawings.  The three packages were: Site – Civil Package, the Structural & Site Work Package, and the Architectural & MEP Package.  Both projects were completed on schedule and under budget.  Due to the nature and fast-track method being utilized, construction contingency funds were established for both projects to expedite changes in the work.

Programming for Spellman Hall Renovations

West Point Academy, New York

SLA, through CSG/SLA Joint Venture Company, was contracted through the USACE Army and Support Center – Huntsville to provide a Design Synopsis for the Bed-Down of Spellman Hall Building 2101 at West Point Academy. The purpose was to develop a Whole Building Analysis of Building 2101 to determine bed-down requirements. This required additional evaluation of Bldg 685 and another building for space displacement requirements, with programming and funding requirements for displaced tenant organizations: Logistics Readiness Command, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Army Garrison IMO.

Charrettes, Facility Condition Assessment, Programming, Cost Estimating, AT/FP Assessment, and Development of Demolition Plans were all undertaken on a Fast Track schedule of 150 days including 48 days of Government Review.  Design elements included site work such as parking and walks, interior finishes, furniture & equipment, compliance with ADA standards, roof replacement, life safety, security, mechanical systems, electrical systems, fire alarm systems, and telecommunications systems.

The Design Charrette was performed and CSG/SLA provided the final documents for the Design Synopsis and performed an out-briefing for the Users and USACE. This included a parametric cost estimate and contract schedule.