flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

Leo A Daly designs mental health clinic for veterans in Tampa

Healthcare Facilities

Leo A Daly designs mental health clinic for veterans in Tampa

The new facility will consolidate all mental health services the VA offers into one clinic.


By David Malone, Managing Editor | December 16, 2021
Leo A Daly VA mental health hospital exterior
Images courtesy Leo A Daly

Leo A Daly has completed the design for a new mental health clinic for veterans in Tampa, Fla.

The 144,000-sf clinic will combine three existing VA services currently being offered on and off the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital’s main campus. The project will consolidate an existing rehab and recovery center, a 60-bed inpatient domiciliary, and a residential treatment program for veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, integrating every mental health service the agency offers into a single, veteran-focused resource.

Leo A Daly VA mental health hospital interior

The project’s design was inspired by direct input from veterans and clinicians. It takes into account the unique experiences of veterans and translates them into an environment tailored to their needs. The deign emphasizes spaces for gathering and sharing, enabling veterans to build and strengthen the common bond of service that is central to veteran identity. The dimensions, orientation, and interiors of every space are designed with trauma-informed principals in mind, reinforcing a sense of personal choice, safety, and space.

The design engages with nature via gardens and walking paths for veterans to enjoy. Indirect access to nature is provided through ample windows and clerestories, which provide natural light, views, and ease of wayfinding to reduce stress.

Leo A Daly VA mental health hospital lobby

Sustainability features include low-wattage LED lighting, automatic lighting controls, a high-performance building envelope, water use reduction, reduced emissions, recycled materials, automated controls, and ecological landscaping.

Construction for the $91 million U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ facility will being in early 2022. It is expected to take 18 months to complete. Cullinan Properties is the developer with Hoar Construction providing general contractor services. Prosser is the civil engineer.

Leo A Daly VA mental health hospital gathering space

Related Stories

Resiliency | Feb 15, 2022

Design strategies for resilient buildings

LEO A DALY's National Director of Engineering Kim Cowman takes a building-level look at resilient design. 

Healthcare Facilities | Feb 10, 2022

Respite for the weary healthcare worker

The pandemic has shined a light on the severe occupational stress facing healthcare workers. Creating restorative hospital environments can ease their feelings of anxiety and burnout while improving their ability to care for patients.

Coronavirus | Jan 20, 2022

Advances and challenges in improving indoor air quality in commercial buildings

Michael Dreidger, CEO of IAQ tech startup Airsset speaks with BD+C's John Caulfield about how building owners and property managers can improve their buildings' air quality.

Healthcare Facilities | Jan 7, 2022

Supporting hope and healing

Five research-driven design strategies for pediatric behavioral health environments.

Healthcare Facilities | Dec 20, 2021

Stantec will design the new Queensway Health Centre

The project is located in Toronto.

Healthcare Facilities | Dec 15, 2021

COVID-19 has altered the speed and design of healthcare projects, perhaps irrevocably

Healthcare clients want their projects up and running quicker, a task made more complicated by the shortage of skilled labor in many markets.

Healthcare Facilities | Dec 15, 2021

MEP design considerations for rural hospitals

Rural hospitals present unique opportunities and challenges for healthcare facility operators. Oftentimes, the infrastructure and building systems have not been updated for years and require significant improvements in order to meet today’s modern medical demands. Additionally, as these smaller, more remote hospitals are acquired by larger regional and national healthcare systems, the first step by new ownership is often to update and rehabilitate the building. But how can this be done thoughtfully, economically, and efficiently in ways that allow the engineering and facility staff to adapt to the changes? And how can the updates accurately reflect the specific needs of rural communities and the afflictions with which these areas most commonly face?

Healthcare Facilities | Dec 7, 2021

Wheeler Kearns Architects completes Howard Brown Health’s Broadway Youth Center in Chicago

The new facility will provide medical and social service programs to LGBTQI+ youth.

Healthcare Facilities | Nov 23, 2021

Why vertical hospitals might be the next frontier in healthcare design

In this article, we’ll explore the opportunities and challenges of high-rise hospital design, as well as the main ideas and themes we considered when designing the new medical facility for the heart of London.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category


Healthcare Facilities

Advancing Healthcare: Medical Office Buildings at the Forefront of Access and Safety

This article explores the pivotal shift from traditional hospital settings to Medical Office Buildings (MOBs), focusing on how these facilities enhance patient access. Discover the key drivers of this transformation, including technological advancements, demographic trends, and a growing emphasis on integrated, patient-centered care. Learn how MOBs are not only adapting to modern healthcare demands but are also leveraging modern access control and safety innovations.



halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021