ms consultants supplied complete architectural and engineering (electrical, mechanical, site civil, and structural) services for this 19,061-square-foot expansion and renovation of the Sam Perdue (Southern Regional) Juvenile Detention Center.
The ms team worked closely with staff from the Division of Juvenile Services conducting a detailed review of the existing facility and developing a design to determine the most efficient use of the existing spaces. The preliminary investigation determined that by strategically placing several smaller additions, a significant amount of space that was currently underutilized, such as corridors, porches, and redundant circulation areas, could be turned into functional space at a reasonable cost. Additionally, the facility survey revealed that in order to meet agency objective for clear lines of sight from the master control room, an existing detention wing would need to be demolished.
The final design meets this operational objective, allowing for clear lines of sight from the master control room to three dayroom and two classroom spaces. The connection of the additions to the existing structure is accomplished by wrapping the remaining walls of the original detention wing (now two classrooms) with smaller dayrooms provided for special populations such as females or violent offenders. In both facilities, the focus of the design has been on the rehabilitative mission of the Division of Juvenile Services, which led to the creation of dedicated educational and recreational areas, as well as private office space for counselors and case managers.
Functionally, the delivery of building services such as plumbing, HVAC, and fire protection systems was accomplished in a manner that left the lines and ductwork exposed for maintenance.
Additionally, in an effort to ensure the security of the facility, special attention was paid to the way these services entered the cell. The design team examined the way the fire protection (sprinkler) system was provided at other Division of Juvenile Service Facilities, where vandalism has caused problems in the past, not only to ensure the integrity of the current design, but also to look for a remedy to the current situation. Tamper resistant, quick response heads were selected for use in the cells, then the fire protection system was sized for the entire building using a Light Hazard rating.