Client: Ohio Department of Mental Retardation & Development Disabilities
Location: Gallipolis, Ohio

Project:
To address and correct technical problems with original construction detailing that had produced many functionally operational/maintenance issues throughout interior and around exterior of twelve residential cottage buildings (8 - housing 16 residents each; 4 - housing 32 residents each) placed in a campus type setting. Minor modifications to Community Building were also required for Kitchen Area fire alarm system.

Details:
The design challenges addressed and corrected were: intense humidity problems; lack of ventilation in the roof structures; retrofitting of insulation and ventilation into the roofs; re-working of showers and restrooms to bring them into compliance with ADA accessible standards; innovative design for sink/countertops eliminated the continual maintenance and replacement issues; redesign of the lighting systems to provide more lighting and more efficient arrangement of illumination; complete re-roofing of six buildings; improper exhaust venting to eliminate stale air within the residential dwelling areas; installation of a commercial grade hood over the cooking appliances within the community/multi-purpose building to accommodate the cooking classes and the regular preparation of meals; minor site improvements in direct access to and from each residential building.

A critical objective of this project was to design construction so that it could be multi-phased as all cottage facilities had to remain in full operation throughout all the facets of construction. The excellent general contractor made a very difficult challenge less so through proactive scheduling, modifying as required and planning well ahead in constant communications with Project Architect.

From design through construction documents took eight months; while construction took nine months total, the project was completed three months ahead of contract schedule.