Clarity Child Guidance Center

Building Calming Spaces with Forte™ High-Impact Doors That Deliver Long-Term Performance

When your job is to transform the lives of children facing serious mental health challenges, the first priority is creating a safe, supportive, and calming environment. These principles guided the design and construction of a three-building expansion at Clarity Child Guidance Center—a nonprofit facility providing inpatient and outpatient mental health services for children ages 3 to 17.

In addition to supporting patient well-being, the environment needed to perform reliably under constant, demanding use. Material selection played a critical role in balancing a therapeutic atmosphere with the durability required for a behavioral healthcare setting

Industry

Healthcare

Location

San Antonio, TX

Products

Aspiro® Series Doors

Project Partners

Marmon Mok Architecture

The Challenge

Create Indestructible Therapy Spaces

As the only nonprofit treatment facility of its kind in the San Antonio area, the center required extensive research and a rethinking of traditional design approaches. The team needed solutions that could go beyond standard durability—delivering materials and assemblies that resist damage, reduce maintenance, and eliminate opportunities for harm, all while maintaining a calming environment.

The Solution

Building Performance into Every Opening

During the specification process, Marmon Mok architects worked with Forte Opening Solutions to identify complete door systems that were durable and resistant to abuse.

Based upon the product’s success in other psychiatric and physical therapy facilities, the Marmon Mok team specified the Algoma RhinoDoor® Impact, which is now a legacy product included in the Forte Aspiro® Series.

As a result, 100 new high-impact doors were installed throughout the three new buildings. These doors are designed specifically for interior environments commonly exposed to high levels of traffic, abuse, impact and other potentially damaging conditions—like those in the Clarity Child Guidance Center.

Aspiro® Series High-Impact Doors

Surface: High-Impact

Finish: Nutmeg

SCLC-5 Structural Composite Lumber Core
Stiles bonded to the core for exceptional strength
Fire-rated up to 90-minutes
Smooth, easy-to-clean surfaces for optimal hygiene

Door Specifications

Benefits of Forte’s High-Impact Doors:

Creates quieter, more calming environments with acoustic performance
Enables durable living and therapy spaces built to withstand heavy use
Resists scratches and impacts to help preserve surface integrity over time
Supports safety and compliance with fire-rated, sound-rated, and radiation-shielding options
Delivers long-term performance with high-impact surfaces and smooth, damage-resistant edges

The Result

Beautiful Doors that Stand Up to Tough Environments

After installation, the entire team working on the Clarity Child Guidance Center project was impressed.

“The Forte™ Aspiro® doors are absolutely beautiful,” says Robert Hoyland, senior project manager at Keller-Martin, the contractors installing the doors. “Plus, they are extremely smooth with tight edges. We left very confident knowing no one could break off anything from these doors and use it against themselves or others.”

The doors went to work quickly after install, immediately proving success in potentially destructive situations.

“There was actually a break-in at one of the building sites during construction. They caused a lot of damage, but the doors held firm. We know they tried to kick some of them in because you could actually see dirty boot prints. No dents, no scratches. Just some marks that easily cleaned off. This really impressed everyone.”

As a result of the doors impressive performance from day one, Pike and the building owners plan to specify and install Forte Architectural doors at several other facility locations.

Key Takeaways

Three-building expansion on the center’s existing 6.4-acre campus.

14-Bed Inpatient Unit
Observation Rooms
Admissions Department
Recreation Therapy Center
Multipurpose Gymnasium
Three-Story Outpatient Services Center

About Our Project Partners

Bringing the Right Expertise Together

Marmon Mok is a leading architectural, planning, and interior design practice in Texas serving primarily public-sector and institutional clients throughout the state. The firm is led by six partners who specialize in design for civic + municipal, healthcare + wellness, higher education + student life, K-12 learning, non-profit organizations, office + workplace, public assembly + performing arts, and recreation/sports + aquatics.

Forte Opening Solutions delivers a full range of commercial door systems and components designed to meet performance needs and design priorities across education, healthcare, hospitality, and office spaces. Previously known as Masonite Architectural, Forte Opening Solutions is backed by a legacy of trusted brands, including Marshfield DoorSystems, Algoma Hardwoods, Mohawk Doors, Baillargeon, and Harring. Forte is committed to making every door, every interaction, and every opening unforgettable.