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The Story
What became the most complex building ever constructed in Dade County arose from a longstanding need that had never been met. A 6,500 square foot building in 1957 was totally inadequate within a decade. A 13,000 square foot building in 1968 again failed to suffice within a decade. In 1986 the voters approved a criminal justice bond issue that provided the opportunity to build for the present and for the future.
Death investigation is complex and demands the accuracy of applied laboratory science. These facilities were planned to process more than 4,000 bodies per year and perform more than 3,500 autopsies and yet be capable of handling mass disasters should the need arise. Laboratories, which currently utilize quarter million dollar instruments, were planned for instruments yet to be invented. Foul odors of decomposition and infectious diseases presented further challenge. Service to bereaved families in pleasant, hospitable surroundings instead of institutional drab, unique laboratories, including high speed photography of speeding bullets, a sterile autopsy suite - these were but a few of the goals to be reached.
No architect in the world had been asked to plan a facility of this detail to meet these varied goals. Innovative approaches were in order. The first step was to choose a consulting architectural firm. The choice was made when only one out of approximately forty firms obtained letters of introduction from the Dade County Medical Examiner Department to permit them to visit other more recently built medical examiner facilities in the United States. This firm came back with a sight and sound show. “We have identified two problems unique to medical examiner buildings: odor control and lighting in the autopsy rooms. We don't know if we can solve these problems but we would like to try”. Those were the correct concepts. Hatcher, Ziegler, Gunn Associates of South Miami were awarded the contract for design services for this building.
A unique approach, unusual in most circles, was to involve each employee, clerk, doctor, maintenance mechanic, toxicologist, photographer, investigator, typist, “the supervisors” and “the supervised,” in the entire planning process. Each was asked the question, “Assume you have unlimited space and unlimited money, how would you like your work area designed so you can do the best job possible?” Teamwork was stressed throughout.
As each page of the program book was developed, back it went to the contributing employee for critique until this stage was complete. The process was repeated for the design drawings, which were not accepted until the employee had signed off. Finally, the construction drawings were created again utilizing the same process. During construction, no change orders were needed because “we forgot something.”
A primary challenge to the architect was beauty. Lush landscaping and trees to please the eye were a must. Visitors, especially bereaved families, need ease of access and parking. In addition, no unpleasant sights, odors, or reminders of “government" or “a morgue” were to be allowed.
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