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 Chesapeake, Virginia. The firm will partner with The Molasky Group of Companies, developer and leader of the design-build project, to expand access to high-quality care in a region with one of the fastest-growing veterans populations in the country.
Located on 25 acres on the Chesapeake Regional Medical Center campus and near the Cypress Landing Veterans Housing, the new facility will join the Hampton VA Healthcare System. The clinic will house primary care, mental health, audiology, ophthalmology, and prosthetic and sensory aid services. The clinic will also feature a lab and pharmacy, as well as advanced imaging services.
“Gresham Smith is proud to partner with The Molasky Group on this important project for the Hampton Roads region and our country’s veterans,” said Shannon Drake, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Project Executive at Gresham Smith. “Using human-centered design principles, our team will focus on designing a space that meets the needs of the veteran population and utilizes the latest technology to enhance quality of care. When complete, the new outpatient clinic will meet the needs of Virginia’s growing veteran population for decades to come.”
The 196,000-square-foot, two-story building will reflect the surrounding region, taking cues from coastal culture to honor Hampton Roads as the home to the world’s largest naval base. On the exterior, a large linear expanse of glazing will mimic the shape of an aircraft carrier, while the covered drop-off area on the front of the building will resemble ship masts. To promote wellness and connect patients, visitors and staff to nature, the design will capitalize on the existing wetlands to create outdoor seating areas, al-fresco dining and a healing garden in a park-like setting.
Inside the lobby, floor-to-ceiling windows will flood the two-story space with natural light and large wall graphics will honor each military branch. A main corridor on each floor will serve as the waiting area for all clinics, making the space easy to navigate and creating flexibility for the future. Within each clinic, patient care spaces will be arranged around a central staff areas, which will create operational efficiencies, encourage collaboration, and enhance the patient experience.
Construction is expected to start in 2022 and the facility is expected to complete in the fall of 2024.
This project is a continuation of Gresham Smith’s partnership with The Molasky group of Companies. The firm is currently designing a new outpatient clinic for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Lakeland, Florida.
