This project renovated 18,000 s.f. the entire 4^th floor, of the existing Main Crime Laboratory building for NC Department of Justice. The original Crime Laboratory building was designed with individual laboratories and offices for staff which prevented collaboration and interaction of staff.  Our renovation created shared laboratory workspace with immediately adjacent instrument rooms and open office areas for their Drug Chemistry and Toxicology Sections. The renovation allowed us to introduce natural light throughout the floor by utilizing existing windows and adding interior borrowed lites in many of the corridor and laboratory walls. We created a common meeting and training room for the sections located at the floor entrance using recycled wood from the red oak casework removed during the demolition. Our renovation supported the laboratory’s continual drive to expedite evidence processing turnaround times and reinforcing the importance of staff collaboration. The renovation eliminated many of the existing fume hoods, consolidating these into the shared laboratory thereby alleviating some of the mechanical system load which saves the energy.

This facility houses three services. First, Alleghany In Motion, (AIM) which is the public transportation system for Alleghany County. Next, NC Cooperative Extension Office. This office partners with communities to deliver education and technology that enrich the lives, land and economy of North Carolinians. Lastly, Soil & Water Conservation Departments. The Alleghany Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is a governmental subdivision of the State of North Carolina, charged with the responsibility of promoting soil and water conservation and establishing conservation programs in the District.

The new façade employs Zinc panels both horizontally and vertically that mimics agricultural barns found all along the mountain roads in Alleghany County. The two distinct colors of the zinc façade were chosen to reflect the reddish color of a sunset over the mountains and the grey outline of mountains seen in the distance from Sparta’s high elevation and surrounding mountains.  Simulated stone foundations were implemented to limit the weight of the addition as the site sits atop uncompacted fill from the original construction that contributed to the earthquake damage. The site was designed to welcome visitors as well as provide seating for the summer street festivals that Sparta hosts regularly.