A2H was entrusted by the State of Tennessee to develop a comprehensive building program statement for the R.S. Gass Central Laboratory, currently situated at 630 Hart Lane, Nashville, Tennessee 37243. This crucial program statement is essential for outlining the needs, budget, and timeline for a new, state-of-the-art replacement facility, marking a significant advancement in A2h Program Health Care initiatives. A2H collaborated with HDR, Inc., who served as the project’s specialized laboratory planning consultant, bringing together expertise to ensure a successful project.
The existing Central Laboratory is housed in a seven-story building that was originally constructed in 1950 as a Tuberculosis Hospital. While renovated and repurposed in the 1980s to become the State’s Central Lab, the facility is now outdated and no longer adequately meets the demands of a modern public health laboratory. Located within the State’s expansive 172-acre R.S. Gass Complex, the lab shares the site with other critical state services, including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Advanced Communication Network Region 3 Dispatch, Hart Lane Drivers Services Center, Davidson County Medical Examiner, Mid-Cumberland Regional Health Office, and TDE Environmental Assistance Service.
The current Central Lab facility presents numerous challenges. Its dated infrastructure and worn condition are not conducive to supporting contemporary laboratory functions and fall short of modern public health facility standards. To address these shortcomings and pave the way for a modern facility, our a2h program health care approach emphasized active participation from key stakeholders. Members from the Department of Health, the Central Lab, and STREAM engaged in a series of work sessions, conducted both in person and virtually. This collaborative methodology ensured that the program statement accurately reflected the needs and requirements of all involved parties.
This program statement meticulously identifies the necessary space and facility requirements to effectively support the Lab’s current operations and services. This assessment was conducted independently of the limitations imposed by the current “make-do” facilities. The program clearly defines the prerequisites for optimal laboratory operations, both for present-day functions and with a forward-looking perspective into future needs. To establish a clear understanding of the existing space, a comprehensive program inventory was developed based on current floor plans. These existing spaces served as a critical baseline, acting as a “point of departure” for the thorough programmatic space needs assessment that is central to a2h program health care planning. Site visits and detailed walk-throughs of the current facility were undertaken to gain firsthand insights into space utilization, current conditions, and the operational paradigms of the facility’s users.
Initial investigations into relocation options involved evaluating several potential sites within the R.S. Gass Complex, ultimately identifying four primary areas for consideration. The criteria for relocation were extensive and included a detailed examination of developable topography, solar and wind analysis, and the feasibility of phased construction activities. Special attention was paid to existing traffic patterns and roadway connections to ensure seamless access for both personal and commercial vehicles during construction and throughout the operational lifespan of the new facility, all crucial elements within the a2h program health care project scope.
The team further refined the analysis by developing test fit studies for two promising sites. Working closely with the client team, a single optimal site was selected for the relocation of the new Laboratory. Subsequently, a recommended building massing and orientation, along with essential site components, were thoroughly analyzed and defined. The successful outcome of this comprehensive a2h program health care effort is that the state is now proceeding with the full replacement project, which is currently underway, promising a modern and efficient Central Laboratory for Tennessee.
