Wake County Veterans Administration Clinic

This new two-story, 245,000-square-foot facility includes the latest technology to assist in outpatient care. Major departments include Primary Care,  Pharmacy, Canteen, Radiology, Pathology and Lab, Psychosocial  Rehabilitation Recovery Center, Pulmonary Medicine and Speech-Language  Pathology Patient Clinic. The new clinic was designed as a modern, high-performance medical office building that integrates and optimizes energy efficiency, durability, and life-cycle performance, while providing a welcoming environment for Veterans. Our team performed a life-cycle cost analysis of primary building engineering components and systems to provide the most cost-effective design solutions. To reduce operating expenses and improve occupant comfort, we specified energy efficient systems. Water consumption will be reduced by specifying water-conserving plumbing fixtures compliant with Green Globe requirements as well. These sustainable design features will have a measurable and positive impact on creating a healing environment that will contribute to reducing patient stress and anxiety while reinforcing a safe workplace for staff.

The facility also includes 1,300 spaces in available parking. This site design  was very challenging because 83% of the site was covered with impervious  surfacing. The site grades presented a 10% cross-slope across the site in  which we located a 400’ wide building on a 550’ wide site. The design team was able to provide exceptional service to the client in providing solutions to  make this site functional. This project included 1500’ of roadway including upgrading a section of  the 2-lane highway to a divided 4-lane with medians, turn lanes, and a 10’  mixed-use path. Updated roadway lighting and utility upgrades were also  included in the design of this project. TESSERE worked with suppliers to design a system to treat stormwater runoff  and meet the water quality requirements. Also, due to space constraints, a  below-grade detention system was implemented.