The $44.9-million, 93,000-sq-ft, design-build New Beginnings Youth Development Center in Laurel, Md., provides room to house 60 youth in 10-bed housing units designed to encourage positive youth development in a therapeutic, safe and secure setting.

New Beginnings Youth Development Center, Laurel, Md.
Photo Courtesy of Dan Cunningham

Tompkins/Hardie Joint Venture, a partnership between Tompkins Builders and Hardie Industries, both of Washington, D.C., broke ground on the detention center in September 2007 and finished the five-building project for the District of Columbia Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services in March.

AECOM Design of Arlington, Va., designed the 15-acre campus to provide youth some control and at the same time maintain security. Scope includes a campus building, three wood-frame housing units and a pre-engineered gymnasium/warehouse. The housing living rooms have access to an outdoor courtyard for both formal and informal activities.

Key Players

Owner: Government of the District of Columbia, Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, Washington
Contractor: Tompkins/Hardie Joint Venture, a partnership between Tompkins Builders and Hardie Industries, both of Washington
Design Firm: AECOM Design, Arlington, Va.
Structural Engineer: AECOM, Arlington
Civil Engineer: Delon Hampton & Associates, Washington, D.C.
MEP Engineer: Schlenger/Pitz & Associates, Timonium, Md.
MEP, Life Safety, Telecommunications, Security Subcontractor: LH Cranston, Timonium

The team expects to achieve LEED silver certification. Green elements feature a reflective roof; insulated, low-e coated windows; use of recycled and regional materials; and retention ponds to control runoff.

The team completed the project within 22 months, in April, with no lost-time accidents.