Dorothy Thomas Exceptional Center’s Campus Replacement Project in Tampa Complete

Construction is complete on a $19.5-million campus replacement at the Dorothy Thomas Exceptional Center, located in Tampa, Florida. The Hillsborough County public school — a former community gym — is now dedicated to serving students with emotional and behavioral disorders. The general contractor on the project was Skanska USA.

The approximately 40,000-square-foot renovation and expansion replaces 12 mobile classrooms with a new structure to better serve the needs of nearly 60 students ranging across all ages in grades K-12. The school provides specially designed spaces and adaptable capabilities, such as adjustable lighting to suit the emotional state of students. One specific classroom has a drop ceiling outlined with controlled LED lights with adjustable colors, intensity and lighting patterns to support student needs.

Designed by Fleischmann-Garcia Architecture, the project incorporates many features intended to positively impact student behavior and help give students a sense of freedom, while also being in a controlled classroom setting. For example, most classrooms face the playground area or newly added sensory garden, which boasts serene landscaping with native trees and plants, along with benches and picnic tables that serve as a calming zone before entering the building.

Additionally, the interior space features sensorial hinges that connect the three core areas of the building, including the front entry, center and back wings. Also, the fire protection sprinklers, lights and ceiling devices blend seamlessly into the woodwork, providing minimal visual distractions for students. The tall ceilings, textures and the lighting reflected from the wooden materials are also intentional to support the emotional balance of the students.