St. Louis-based Lacy Clay Center for Children’s Health, which is owned by Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers, recently celebrated its grand opening. The new $6 million, 18,000-square-foot facility provides behavioral health, clinical and counseling support to children ages three to 17.

The three-story facility houses administrative offices, examination rooms, therapy spaces, conference rooms, a kitchen, medical records room and an art therapy room, with two outdoor roof terraces on the third level. Day lighting was utilized throughout, and large windows were specified in rooms where children gather, such as the art therapy room.

The building’s exterior was designed for low maintenance and durability, featuring a combination of fiber cement panels, brick veneer, aluminum storefront and curtain wall glazing systems. The building is supported on spread footings bearing on structural fill, with load bearing masonry wall construction and interior steel columns and steel bar joist.

The interior design team focused on creating a soothing atmosphere using neutral and cool tones, and incorporating soft metals that glimmer when exposed to light. Floor-to-ceiling curved metal panels are used as wall art in the main lobby. Curves are also used in the floor pattern, ceiling clouds and reception desk.

St. Louis artist Cbabi Bayoc created various artistic images of children playing within tempered glass panels to define each waiting area on the second floor. The furniture on the first and second floor public areas utilize materials that can withstand a healthcare environment and work well with the color scheme.

KAI provided architecture, MEP engineering and interior design on the project.