University of Notre Dame, Veldman Family Psychology Clinic

The University of Notre Dame, in partnership with Great Lakes Capital, has commissioned JPR to spearhead the site design and civil engineering for the Veldman Family Psychology Clinic, a cutting-edge mental health facility. This new clinic is poised to offer invaluable mental health resources and serve as a service-delivery center for the South Bend community. Moreover, it will function as a central, immersive hub for faculty and student collaboration, fostering an environment conducive to essential research and advancements in mental health care nationwide.

One of the significant challenges encountered in this project was the site’s topography, characterized by major elevation changes. To address this, the design team conducted an in-depth study of the site, collaborating closely with the architect and owner. The primary strategy that was developed involved incorporating a partial walkout lower level, with the 2nd and 3rd floors exposed on the north end and all three floors fully exposed on the south end. This innovative design approach effectively leveraged the site’s natural contours to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing facility.

Additionally, the project required the vacation of an existing alley to accommodate the proposed site plan. This necessitated detailed coordination with the City of South Bend and adjacent property owners to ensure continued access. The JPR team also engaged with utility service providers to maintain service through the alley and avoid conflicts with the proposed improvements.

Through comprehensive management of the site design and civil engineering processes, JPR utilized its extensive experience to harmonize the complex, moving parts into a cohesive design. This facility not only promises to enhance mental health services for the local community but also aims to be a cornerstone for national advancements in mental health care, driven by collaborative research and innovation at the University of Notre Dame.