Architect explains design change at Ochsner’s Vita Springs Clinic; commission takes no action

Kyle Leberson, an architect with AQ Studios Architects, told the Abita Springs Historic Commission on July 14 that decorative wood beams ordered for the Vita Springs Clinic (Ochsner) project on Harrison Avenue could not be installed as detailed and the construction team adjusted the trim in the field.

Leberson said the beams — 26-foot decorative wood members intended to span the driveway canopy — arrived without an install bracket detail that would accommodate them on-site. Removing the newly built brick pilasters to install the beams was not considered appropriate, and an engineer flagged the option of shaving the beams down as a structural concern.

"They were delivered to the site, and the contractor said, how do I hang these?" Leberson said. To address the constraint, the construction team increased the trim from 1x4 to 1x12 as a field solution to maintain the intended look without installing the continuous decorative beam. Leberson described the change as an attempt to retain the building's aesthetic while avoiding more invasive work.

Commissioners discussed whether the exterior trim adjustment should have come back to the commission or could be handled at the staff level. The chair said exterior trim changes of this type could likely be addressed administratively in the future, and the commission expressed appreciation for the presentation. Staff and the architect agreed to follow up with photos and details for the file.

No formal action or vote was taken on the Ochsner presentation at this meeting.