Gora McGahey Associates in Architecture, INc.
43 Barkley Circle, #202, Fort Myers, FL 33907
www.gora-mcgahey.com

LOCATION: Fort Myers, Florida
Date Bid: June 2004 
Construction Period: Oct 2004 to June 2005
total Building A
Total Square Feet: 5,468
total Building b, (SHELL)
Total Square Feet: 2,600
SITE: .96 acre. 
NUMBER OF BUILDINGS: Two.
BUILDING SIZE: Building A: First floor, 4,961; mechanical mezzanine, 507; total Building A, 5,468 square feet; Building B: First floor, 2,600; total, 2,600 square feet. 
BUILDING HEIGHT: Building A: First floor, 10'; mechanical mezzanine, 8'; total Building A, 21'; Building B: first floor, 10'; floor to floor, 10'; total, 21'. 
BASIC CONSTRUCTION TYPE: New.
FOUNDATION: Strip footings, slab-on-grade. 
EXTERIOR WALLS: CMU. 
ROOF: Concrete tile. 
FLOORS: Concrete, wood. 
INTERIOR WALLS: Metal stud drywall.


STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Liebl & Barrow Engineering - 10970 S. Cleveland Avenue, #105, Fort Myers, FL 33907
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Nu-Cape Construction - 1406 S.E. 46th Lane #8, Cape Coral, FL 33904
MECHANICAL ENGINEER: Kevatron Engineering, Inc. - 2324 Coral Point Drive, Cape Coral, FL 33990
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER: Huff Engineering - 2150 West First Street, #4B, Fort Myers, FL 33901
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: David M. Jones & Associates - 2221 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33913

The Mitchell and Mitchell Dental Office Complex completed in 2005, re-united the architects Gora McGahey Associates in Architecture with clients Drs. James and Yolanda Mitchell. The firm designed the Mitchell's previous office in 1986. It was evident that not only had the dentists outgrown their facilities, but the changes and technological advancements in dentistry had also created the need for newly designed space.

The project consists of two buildings located on a .96 acre site. The 4,900-square-foot Mitchell office includes eleven treatment rooms, sterilization and lab area, two private offices, patient consult room, staff lounge, reception and files, and waiting room. The second building was developed as a 2,500-square-foot shell and subsequently built out as a periodontal office, under separate contract.

A unique feature of these two buildings is their location and siting. The main entrance to both is from a local street within a professional office neighborhood. However the design problem included a second important "front" to both buildings along a main limited access thoroughfare. The visual impact therefore must occur for both dental practices on two faces of each building, remain consistent, and impart equal importance.

The design language, or style, chosen for both buildings is a tasteful influence of post modern blended with the Southwest Florida vernacular. The roof overhangs are deep which protect the walls and windows from sun and rain while the entrances are flanked by oversized cast concrete columns playfully shaped to express the friendly character of each dental practice.

Efficient traffic flow and good ergonomics have always been benchmarks of successful dental office design. Evolving technology and equipment has also been a major influence. Computerization has reached beyond office management systems. Digital imaging has replaced film x-rays and panorex systems, computer monitors have replaced x-ray view boxes, and hard drives have replaced space consuming film storage and removed darkroom chemistry and space. Each treatment room was designed to place a monitor with sensitive patient information in the headwall to be viewed by the dentist, while another monitor is positioned for the patient to view educational programs. Another example of technology is the use of computerized CADD/cam crown design which converts precise measurements into porcelain crowns with a robotic grinder. Data distribution systems were carefully designed to interface with cabinetry and dental equipment.

As was the case in the 1986 designed building, the clients wished to create a well crafted high quality building which features stained wood trim, natural veneers and granite countertops in the public areas. The interior environment is warm and inviting, blending contemporary forms with classical details such as crown molding and whimsical columns mirroring those at the building entrance.


DIV 07: Tile Roof: Monier Life Tile. 
DIV 08: Entrances & Storefronts, Windows: Vistawall; Glass: Arch Aluminum.
DIV 09: Acoustical Treatment: Armstrong.