Studio G has designed and managed construction administration for two renovations on the Taunton State Hospital campus for DCAMM and DMH addiction recovery programs located in the 1955 Chambers Building. The ‘E’ shaped building is organized with patient units at east and west wings designed to inpatient psychiatric standards, with single and double bedrooms, dining rooms, lounges, fitness rooms, group therapy rooms, medical support spaces. The central wing at each floor houses program administration, social service, and support staff spaces for the units on that floor

Phased Construction. Following the Phase 1 renovation of the Women’s Recovery from Addiction Program, Phase 2 addresses the Men’s Recovery from Addiction Program (MRAP). The MRAP interior renovation of the second and third floors for four MRAP units and the basement for DMH support spaces also includes a deep energy retrofit of the building envelope and systems; replacement of all systems and introduction of fire suppression system; overhaul of two elevators; incorporation of best practices for health informed by the Covid pandemic; and full accessibility at building and landscape.

Deep Energy Retrofit + Systems. MRAP undertakes a deep energy retrofit with the replacement of 400+ original windows with triple-glazed windows at patient spaces, double-glazed elsewhere, and new insulation at the slate roof and brick cavity walls. The original steam heating system is replaced with an all-electric distributed system of VRFs and ERVs providing year-round comfort and ventilation that meets 2020 ASHRAE standards in response to Covid. A new electrical panel, new distribution, and all new LED lighting contribute to the energy retrofit. New plumbing fixtures are low-flow; accessible piping has been replaced. New fire alarm and sprinkler systems were introduced.

Utilizing Trauma-informed Design. Studio G transformed rigid institutional ‘mental wards’ into welcoming, daylit therapeutic spaces for people in detox and early-stage rehabilitation. Double loaded corridors are opened to create connected, engaging spaces for therapy and socializing, and offer views into common rooms and to the landscape beyond. Biophilic design incorporates natural colors and materials and references to elements found in nature, to contribute to patient healing. The men’s detox unit has an adjacent dedicated rooftop terrace for recreation. Men’s rehab units use new recreation yards north and south of the building. All recreation yards offer active and passive spaces for individual, small group, and 10-person therapy groups.

Design for Health + Wellness, includes daylight, ventilation, spatial design, and environmentally friendly, non-toxic materials. With the onset of the pandemic during design, Studio G pivoted to address new demands of a 24/7 facility with medically frail residents: increasing air changes in HVAC, upgrading filters to align with the latest ASHRAE guidelines, changing finish materials to highly scrubbable surfaces, and plumbing to no-touch fixtures, adding handwashing and sanitizing stations, and shifting from group toilet and shower rooms to individual bathrooms. Accessibility. The Chambers Building has been made fully accessible. Phase 2 redesigns the Glass Building Courtyard to provide accessible access from parking and sidewalk to the main campus entry, utilized by staff and visitors. The new courtyard design includes an ambulance zone and access for fire and other emergency vehicles, as well as separate pedestrian and vehicular access.