Engenium Group provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineering and design to support the 32,840 SF fit out for Chase Brexton Health Care’s medical facility in Security Square Mall in Woodlawn, MD. Originally founded as a clinic serving the LGBTQ+ community, Chase Brexton has evolved into a full-service, nonprofit health care provider offering equitable, inclusive care to all. As part of its 2022 strategic expansion into the west Baltimore suburbs, the organization selected Security Square Mall to increase access to essential services and aimed to transform a former trade school into a state-of-the-art health center.
The program design included 6 distinct service areas: Medical/Pediatrics/OBGYN, Dental, Behavioral Health, Pharmacy, Laboratory, and shared spaces. The new layout incorporated 32 exam rooms, 7 dental operatories with supporting imaging and sterilization rooms, 4 clinical labs, a pharmacy, multiple restrooms, 2 lactation rooms, 29 medical pod stations, and a range of support spaces including reception, staff lounges, meeting rooms, IT, storage, and medical waste rooms. Designed to meet rigorous health care standards while prioritizing patient flow and staff efficiency, the facility now offers integrated care to thousands of patients each year—regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
The project also came with three major challenges for our MEP team: First, aging rooftop mechanical units using now-obsolete R-22 refrigerant could not be fully replaced due to budget constraints, requiring our team to test and strategically reuse equipment with little manufacturer documentation. Second, the shift from an educational use to health care necessitated major system reconfigurations—abandoning underperforming units and rebalancing loads to suit clinical demands. Finally, ongoing construction of a new parking garage directly beneath the suite added a layer of coordination complexity, which we addressed through active collaboration with the garage design team. The result: a resilient, budget-conscious design that met the client’s needs, earned the 2024 ABC Gold Award for Design Excellence, and helped Chase Brexton continue its mission of bringing inclusive, life-affirming care to more people across the Baltimore region.
Photos Courtesy of Arris Design
