Gresham Smith is proud to announce the completion of a new outpatient clinic for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Lakeland, Florida. The firm partnered with Molasky Development, developer, and The Korte Company, general contractor, on the design-build project. Led by the General Services Administration (GSA), the new clinic expands access to high-quality healthcare for Veterans in Polk and Hillsborough counties.
At 132,000 square feet—five times bigger than the former local clinic—the outpatient facility houses 90 primary care exam rooms, 24 mental health treatment rooms, 24 specialty clinic spaces, 4 audiology booths, and a radiology department with x-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound and bone density technology. Additionally, the facility includes a dedicated lab, a full-scale pharmacy, an optometry suite, a podiatry department, and a physical therapy suite with dedicated prosthetics fitting.
“Gresham Smith is proud to have partnered with Molasky Development 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 Lead at Gresham Smith. “Our team focused on creating a human-centered space that uses the latest technology to elevate care for the Veteran population, and we’re pleased to know it will serve the Lakeland community for decades to come.”
Centrally located in the Lakeland community, the facility sits on the corner of heavily traveled Polk Parkway and Lakeland Highlands Road. Patient parking at the front of the site, along with a covered drop-off area on the front of the building, creates easy access for visitors. A flag plaza honoring Veterans outside the main entrance offers a moment for reflection.
The building façade features a mix of concrete and metal panels, aligning with the Veterans Affairs brand, while light gray and blue metallics interspersed across the exterior were inspired by the Florida Scrub Jay. The interior palette also reflects Florida’s natural habitat. Large expanses of windows on all sides of the building flood public corridors and waiting areas with natural light, the reception area is demarcated by wood paneling, the cool-toned carpet pattern was inspired by the movement of water, and a sleek honor wall prominently displays military branch seals.
Within each clinic, patient care spaces are arranged around a central staff area, which creates operational efficiencies, encourages collaboration, and enhances the patient experience. Additionally, the site features a healing garden for respite and a rehabilitation courtyard for physical therapy.
Gresham Smith provided architecture, interior design and activation coordination services for the project.
