Overview
Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI) is an internationally recognized institute specializing in adolescents with disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and musculoskeletal system. The Institute provides evaluation, rehabilitation, educational services, as well as cutting edge research on behalf of children with brain related disabilities. When planning the project, KKI desired a facility that would provide its clients hope and a sense of possibility. At KKI, the clients are “front and center”. A primary goal was to provide large glass areas to allow adolescents to take in views of the city while receiving care.
Architect: Stanley Beaman & Sears, Inc. / Photographer: Jim Roof Creative, Inc.
The Solution
Therapy pools on the sixth floor have significant glazing to give clients a view of the city, all while retaining a sense of privacy by being located on the upper floors. The building is rather prominent on the northwest corner of the Johns Hopkins Medical campus, yielding expansive views to the north. The lobby is a two-story space with curving walls to create a sense of curiosity about the place. The phrase “In my mind, I can do anything” is adorned on the lobby wall, and is meant to be taken from both an emotional and physical perspective.
Having large therapy pools on the sixth floor presented both mechanical and structural challenges for the design team. A separate pool dehumidification system was provided to enhance environmental control, while conserving energy by rejecting its heat to the pool. Ductwork was carefully engineered to prevent condensation on the large glass areas and reduce evaporation of pool water. The impacts on the structural design were with respect to both gravity and lateral loading, as well accommodating the pools without losing floor to ceiling height on the floor below. A concrete pan joist, girder and circular column framed construction was used to accommodate the wide bay spacing; this provided the ideal material and system to limit floor vibrations throughout the building.
Engineering Highlights
- Multiple AHU’s manifolded together to allow for operational flexibility.
- 200 VAV terminal units control space temperature.
- Heating and cooling designed with a future central plant in mind, services were run to the basement, valved and capped for future connection.
- All plant systems were carefully engineered with the Architect to be screened from public view.
- The lobby contains translucent, edge-lit LED graphics to generate interest, enthusiasm, and a sense of promise.
- Emergency generator provided for continuous elevator operation, as many of KKI’s clients are wheelchair bound.
People & Technology Leveraged
The hard work and dedication of the project team has led to the project receiving three awards thus far:
- 2010 International Interior Design Association – Best of the Best Awards – Healthcare, Top Honors.
- 2009 Modern Healthcare / American Institute of Architects Design Award – Honorable Mention.
- 2009 Contract Design Magazine – Honorable Mention.
