A Case Study in Collaboration: The Region Ten Louisa Clinic

Design Develop has long believed that the foundation of any successful building project is trust, whether that’s trust between each member of our team, trust between us and our clients, or with our design and construction partners. 

That principle was at the heart of the recently completed Region Ten Louisa County Clinic—a project delivered ahead of schedule, under budget, and with a level of collaboration that exemplifies how deep relationships between architect, contractor, and client can produce extraordinary results.

The success of this project is rooted in longstanding partnerships. Region Ten is a Central Virginia-based healthcare provider offering critical mental health and addiction recovery services to some of the region’s most vulnerable populations. Their commitment to accessible, dignified care is matched by their dedication to creating welcoming spaces that support healing for both patients and staff.

Martin Horn, the general contractor on the project, is a family-run firm founded in 1979. With a reputation built on integrity, craftsmanship, and community service, Martin Horn has become one of Central Virginia’s most trusted construction partners—particularly for nonprofit and mission-driven clients. Their collaborative approach, attention to detail, and respect for every member of the project team have made them a valued partner on dozens of projects across the region.

This isn’t the first time our three organizations—Design Develop, Martin Horn, and Region Ten—have worked together. The growing portfolio includes Region Ten’s Preston Avenue headquarters, the Women’s Center, the Dickerson Road Clinic, and several others. Over time, a shared set of values has turned these working relationships into true partnerships.

“Martin Horn and Design Develop work well together because we share the same core values,” said Ted Horn, the CEO at Martin Horn. “There’s a real trust built from past success. That trust lets us speak honestly with each other, which makes collaboration easy—whether it's a client job or something personal like our own office upgrades.”

Designed for Healing 

For Region Ten, the Louisa Clinic represents more than just a new facility—it’s a vital step toward expanding services and visibility in an underserved area.

“For behavioral health services, a welcoming, thoughtfully designed physical space can significantly impact healing,” the Region Ten team explained. “The space itself becomes part of the therapeutic experience, fostering trust and engagement from the moment someone walks in.”

The clinic also brings together services that were previously provided at separate sites, including the Friendly Oaks day support program, which now occupies the lower level of the new building. Having these services under one roof improves accessibility and helps create a more seamless experience for clients.

Collaboration in Action

From the earliest design conversations through final construction, the Louisa Clinic project was marked by intentional collaboration. Early joint pricing reviews, weekly updates, and regular cross-team meetings helped ensure everyone stayed aligned.

“Construction is hard—but leaning on technology and clear, consistent communication helps smooth out the bumps and keep the project moving forward,” said Horn. “When issues came up, I knew I could call Mark from Design Develop and we’d work together to find a solution before it impacted the project.” added Dan Macdonald, Martin Horn Superintendent.

That sense of partnership extended across the team. Region Ten noted how years of working together made the process smoother and more intuitive.

“The trust and shared understanding of goals led to high-quality outcomes that align closely with our vision and budget,” they said. “The familiarity helped us anticipate potential challenges early, reducing misunderstandings and minimizing conflicts.”

Finishing Strong

Delivering a healthcare facility ahead of schedule and under budget is a rare achievement—but for this team, it came down to trust, humility, and a shared commitment to doing what was best for the project.

“It was a true team effort,” said Macdonald. “No one threw their hands up and said, ‘Not my issue.’ When questions or issues came up, they were always brought to the table with possible solutions.”

Even weather challenges—which at one point turned the construction site into “soup” —were met with problem-solving rather than panic. Coordinating details like window finishes and custom materials took time, but the shared commitment to quality never wavered.

“We both had one job: to make sure the building was right and the experience was great for the owner,” said Macdonald.

A Model for Collaborative Success

The Louisa County Clinic is more than a new building. Design Develop Principle, Bob Pineo calls it “a case study in how mutual respect, transparency, and shared purpose can drive outstanding results. Each project this team completes together deepens our collaboration, making each one more efficient and effective than the last.”

“When the architect and builder work together and share their knowledge and experience, success is almost guaranteed,” said Superintendent Macdonald.

Design Develop is proud to continue building spaces that support healing, health, and hope—especially when it means doing so alongside partners like Martin Horn and Region Ten, who embody what it means to collaborate with purpose.