The Western Mental Health Institute was built to reflect the mission of Tennessee’s Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities: To provide quality care in the least restrictive environment. The 150-bed facility, comprised of six 25-bed units, features what is called a “treatment mall” where patients spend most of their time each day in a collaborative classroom atmosphere. Here, they receive counseling, medication management, case management and other psychiatric inpatient services without unnecessary transportation to multiple facilities.

The new building – featuring metal products by CENTRIA - is located adjacent to its historical predecessor in Bolivar, TN, originally named the Western Hospital For The Insane, constructed in 1889. The new hospital utilizes space from the existing campus to provide administration, dietary and material management functions. As such, a major goal of the new building project was to create an aesthetic harmony between the two structures.

The Western Mental Health Institute was awarded the U.S. Green Build Council’s LEED Silver Certification in December 2010. The project also received The Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) Excellence in Construction Award in the General Contracting, Healthcare category.

A major challenge faced by Western Mental Health Institute designers was how to complement an existing historical structure. A variety of CENTRIA’s Profile Series - Concept Series® products (CS-200, CS-260E and CS-610E) were chosen to give the new building a sleek aesthetic without sacrificing building performance or the nature of its historic counterpart.

CENTRIA’s Concept Series concealed fastener panels feature increased panel engagement for a tighter joint that is virtually invisible. A unique, concealed fastening clip design allows unimpeded thermal movement and creates an air cavity without shims or subgirts between the backside of the panel and the weather resistive barrier—a critical feature for effective moisture control in rainscreen design. This outstanding performance is achieved without sacrificing aesthetics. Concept Series opens the door to unprecedented design flexibility, offering six interchangeable asymmetrical profiles that can be installed vertically or horizontally. This flexibility was important for Western Mental Health Institute designers, who were charged with creating an updated aesthetic that would fit seamlessly with the original 1889 structure.

As with all CENTRIA products, Profile Series panels have inherent sustainable characteristics as well, which helped this project achieve LEED® Silver certification. Primarily composed of steel, panels are made from recycled materials and are fully recyclable.

The project architects were HnedakBobo Group (HBG) of Memphis, TN and Looney Ricks Kiss Architects of Memphis, TN; the CENTRIA products dealer/installer was FL Crane & Sons, Inc. of Fulton, MS; and the contractor was Turner Universal of Nashville, TN. The 159,000 sq. ft. facility was completed in March 2010.

CENTRIA products used on this project included:

• Profile Series Concept Series® CS-200. Square Feet: 34,987; Color: Champagne Pearl; Finish: Smooth; Coating: Sundance Mica; Gauge: 20.

• Profile Series Concept Series® CS-260E. Square Feet: 11,609; Color: Champagne Pearl; Finish: Smooth; Coating: Sundance Mica; Gauge: 20.

• Profile Series Concept Series® CS-610E. Square Feet: 8,894; Color: Champagne Pearl; Finish: Smooth; Coating: Sundance Mica; Gauge: 20.