Bronson Healthcare Clinical Laboratory

The former Gazette building consisted of four parts, including an original structure built in 1925 and three sections added during expansions in 1941, 1968, and 2004. After a year of assessing the cost and feasibility of renovating all the sections for use, Bronson determined that only the 1925 and 1941 buildings would be retained. 

Famed architect Albert Kahn designed the 1925 structure, which has been touched over the years through various renovations and additions. As renovations were underway, the different methods and materials used over the last 96 years provided many challenges for the project team. For example, when cutting an elevator pit, the project team had to get through a 4-foot-thick basement slab. 

Building demolition and site preparation work began in December 2016 and was completed in three phases: 1) Demolish the 1968 and 2004 additions; 2) reinforce the remaining structure, construct a new south façade to accept the new addition, and perform additional interior demolition for future stairways and elevators; and 3) refurbish existing facades with limestone and brick replacement, repair, and cleaning, as well as install new architectural windows. 

The facility consists of three floors with dedicated areas for education, office and meeting spaces, and clinical areas. It was designed to focus on modularity and utilizes new equipment for a streamlined end-to-end process that improves efficiency and turnaround time. The design also allows for flexibility of use and is adaptable to changing needs.