Title: Valerie C. Woodard Center
Location of Proejct: Charlotte, NC
Project Completion Date: ongoing
Firm Name: Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, Inc.

Short Description: Renovating a 1970’s shopping mall into LEED certified county office space presents an exciting opportunity for almost any design firm.

With economic revitalization as a primary business goal, Mecklenburg County wanted the converted facility to invite and attract people, increase occupancy, create business opportunities and enhance its overall image. Little was asked to humanize the site and building while ensuring that the mall remained operational throughout the phased project.

Through an integrated design approach, the project included workspace for teams supporting Health and Human Services, Community Support Services and Tax Collection and Assessment, and a shared conference and training area.

Architect's Statement: Renovating a 1970’s shopping mall into LEED-certified county office space presented an exciting opportunity. Through an integrated design approach, the Valerie C. Woodard Center project included workspace for teams supporting Health and Human Services, Community Support Services, and Tax Collection and Assessment, with shared conference and training area. The Center has allowed Mecklenburg County to create a presence in a community with the highest need.

This urban infill project brought the property back into productive use and is contributing to the revitalization effort and EQUITABLE COMMUNITY of the Freedom Drive corridor. Strategically located to bring the community services directly to the community members, the CRC is a key element of the Bringing Mecklenburg County to You (BMC2Y), Mecklenburg County's Government Facilities Master Plan. This facility provides quality county services in a location that is both convenient for visitors and creates a better work environment for employees.

The CRC is a prototype – the first of six planned for Mecklenburg County. This 300,000 sf of renovated space within the building accommodates staff from the Hal Marshall Center, the tax assessor, and tax collector offices at the Bob Walton Plaza. The project also includes departmental spaces for Public Health, Community Support Services, Asset and Facility Management, and a Conference Center.

The project was designed for INTEGRATION with a “front porch” concept that welcomes the community, offers attractive and inviting waiting areas for visitors, and provides primary building circulation. All non-CRC service counters open to the front porch too. The welcoming feeling continues into the facility, with central oases providing natural light, connectors to internal circulation paths, and a place of respite for staff. Extensive use of glass provides views in and out, promoting connectivity and transparency. The use of window film limits views when security is a concern. Secure corridors allow for effortless staff movement throughout. Clear and effective signage and wayfinding was instrumental in the success of the project due to the sheer size of the site and the building.

This is a LEED Certified Building, with environmentally sustainable features, which benefit the local ECOSYSTEM, included in engineering, exterior design, landscape design, interior design, and beyond. High-tech sun-tracking skylights reduce lighting and energy demands. Shared “Oases” are drenched with natural daylight for employees to take restorative breaks.

We took the sustainability a step further including elements of design for WATER and ENERGY, including water efficiency, water reuse, stormwater management, energy benchmarking and goal setting, climate responsive design, and more. Ice storage tanks save energy while using off-peak electricity rates. LED lighting with controls, daylight sensors, and occupancy sensors also contribute to energy savings. Advanced Building Automation Systems monitor and control HVAC and lighting, providing maximum efficiency of systems. The project utilizes safe materials and RESOURCES, safe material sourcing, and onsite renewables (solar, wind). We also engaged an acoustical consultant to conduct extensive sound testing, ensuring the design best serves the space and its various tenants.

Working with the County, budget and maintenance were important factors in design for the ECONOMY. Wood flooring clad accent walls offer a durable, inexpensive, and maintenance-free warmth and calming biophilic element. To offset maintenance and cost of interior plantings, we design natural planters to create a durable, maintenance-free biophilic element.

Biophilic materials use, such as wood accent walls and simulated turf carpeting, creates a healthy connection to nature and improves occupants' WELL-BEING. Daylighting reaches deep floorplates providing natural light that helps employees regulate their circadian rhythm – energizing them during the day and promoting better sleep for them at night. Since many visitors of the facility are under a lot of stress, we incorporated calming and welcoming elements throughout the entire project. Thoughtfully designed landscaping creates an initial inviting feeling. Upon entering through the welcoming “front porch” visitors are met with various comfortable seating options, and clear wayfinding and signage to alleviate stress. Safety elements also increase the calming nature of the facility.

The facility needed to be flexible and adaptable for a government agency that is always undergoing CHANGE. To accommodate this, the project includes open and collaborative work areas that provide daylight and views along with fixed external shades and automated interior shades to control glare. The workstations and offices utilize a kit-of-parts approach providing flexibility for departments to grow or shrink. The shared Conference and Learning Center (with an auditorium) reduces the number of meeting spaces required within each department and flexible internal entry points can be easily changed as well.

We partnered with Charlotte-Mecklenburg County’s Arts & Science Council to add a level of DISCOVERY, art, and culture to the Center. Phase 1 included an explorative, calming garden on the Freedom side of the building. There is also a large, enlivening art installation near the entryway titled “Pillars of Dreams” by Marc Fornes which makes a curious impression from the street.