Tennessee Justice Center
Location:
Nashville, Tennessee
Status:
Completed Fall 2023
Size:
27,350 SF
Client:
Tennessee Justice Center
Shop Team:
James Kennon
Katherine Kennon
Cary Sweat
Project Collaborators:
Civil Engineer:
Collected Civil Engineering
Landscape Architect: Studio Topography
Structural Engineer:
EMC Structural Engineers
Mechanical Engineering:
LEE Company
Electrical Engineering:
Thompson Electric
Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineering:
Dewberry I Edmonds
General Contractor:
PBG Builders
Professional Photography: Sterling Stevens
Awards:
The Tennessee Justice Center is a nonprofit organization providing legal advocacy to under-represented populations. As part of their decision to expand their offices, TJC purchased a property at 155 Lafayette Street within sight of downtown Nashville in the Napier Park area. The property included 0.83 acres and an existing building with a footprint of approximately 10,720 sq. ft. (FAR approximately 0.3). The site was bound on three sides by public streets (Lafayette St., Lewis St., and Fairfield Ave.) The existing building had a main street level and a basement with grade access at the back of the site.
The building and site were originally developed in 1956 by the Corenswet family who are well-known real estate developers in the area. Initially developed as a small spec commercial facility, it has operated under their ownership as the Ideal Liquor Store until the sale of the property in 2021.
The reimagining and renovation of the building to meet the TJC’s expanded programmatic needs and to address the aging condition of the building revealed multiple opportunities and challenges. The first opportunity was choosing to invest in the neighborhood and respond to its current character and context. Inspired by recent media coverage highlighting the delayed economic development of the area drove TJC to invest in this neighborhood. A choice consistent with their overall objective to support and improve the conditions of under-represented populations. This new location also placed them in closer proximity to the people who most benefit from their services.
Architecturally, several conditions of the existing building became challenges as the design needed to meet new code requirements, and consider structural and architectural modifications and expansion while accommodating new programmatic expectations. Because half of the site slopes below FEMA’s 100-year flood plain, the basement level (which is fully below the flood plain) remains unfinished and primarily used as parking and storage. The design team had to develop acceptable solutions to accommodate constrictive zoning, flood, and stormwater limitations acceptable to permitting authorities. These included a restriction against enlarging the building’s footprint, a reduction in impermeable surface area on site, the installation of flood vents within the basement, the installation of new and improved sidewalks, and the installation of a bioretention pond. To meet the renovation and expansion objectives, a third floor was added. This addition included 6,000 sq. ft. of useable area plus a 450 sq. ft. rooftop patio. The final configuration enabled TJC to lease future growth space of 3,800 sq. ft. to another local non-profit organization. This also provided for 2,600 sq. ft. of shared and subsidized amenities. Modifications to the structure to install the new third floor, an elevator, and stairs required extensive structural analysis and reinforcing. In addition, to meet current energy code insulation requirements, the existing building’s concrete structural frame, precast concrete-tee floor and roof structure, and single-layer concrete block perimeter walls required remediation or replacement.
The final project is a result of a cooperative effort between the leadership of TJC and the Architect Workshop is an example of how architecture benefits its community – both pragmatically and in spirit. By providing more space, TJC can continue to expand their services to this and other communities in need. By choosing this location, TJC is not only physically accessible to their clientele; but through their physical presence and architectural expression of the renovated building, the project indicates that the community is respected and valued.
