Sarasota Police Department Headquarters in Southwest, Florida by Architects Design Group

Article source: Architects Design Group

Sustainable, Survivable Public Safety Architecture

As an important urban infill project in Southwest Florida and a catalyst for future development in the government center, the design responds to the need to be a sustainable, survivable, yet open and inviting public building that maintains all critical functions 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, during any event.  The project is sited on approximately 69,184 square feet of property and consists of 6 stories that house approximately 102,000 square feet of program, with the first 3 levels parking 200 vehicles.

Side View

• Architect: Architects Design Group
• Project Name: Sarasota Police Department Headquarters
• Location: Southwest, Florida
• Project Location: Sarasota, Florida
• Owner/Client: City of Sarasota Police Department

Exterior View

• Contact Person: Maria Ehrlich
• LEED® Certification: First Police Department in the state of Florida to receive LEED® Certification
• Building Area: (sf): 102,000 SF, 200 Car Parking Garage
• Date of Substantial Completion: 8.2010
• Type of Project: Government Police Headquarters

Interior View

Developing a Site Strategy

In order to create a visual icon for the public, a vertical entry plaza anchors the project’s Southeast corner to the edge of historic Payne Park.  This public plaza further acts as an overflow space for both public meetings and media events.

The South-facing façade is a simultaneous response to the harsh Florida sun as well as adjacent Payne Park. A secondary screen wall serves to functionally shade the building, while concurrently framing view vistas out and towards the park- creating a unique, urban backdrop for the on-looking park goer.

Ultimately, through balancing sustainability and survivability issues, the project is intended to respect the tradition of the Sarasota School of Design Syntax and integrate seamlessly into the City’s existing downtown urban fabric.

Diagram Section

Programming Complexity – A House for Many Functions

A Police Department Headquarters is innately a complex program. Multiple critical civic programs must be housed under one roof to create a unified point of service for the city at large.

The program includes:

Police Headquarters, Police Administration, Records, Booking and Intake, Bulk Evidence Storage and Processing, Training Space, Swat Team Planning, Physical Agility, Special Vehicle Storage, 200 space Parking Garage, Community Meeting Rooms, and various other elements. The facility is designed with approximately 13% shell space and for future, vertical expansion.

High Performance Construction Techniques

Due to the critical nature of the program, the building must meet stringent survivability criteria.  Designed to meet the challenge of a Category Five storm and still maintain operations, the primary structure is proposed to be a post tension concrete building clad with architectural precast and high performance, impact resistant glazing systems to mitigate catastrophic events.   The South-facing screen wall shades the building, but also provides an added layer of impact and blast protection.

Urban area plan

Open and Inviting Public Safety Architecture – Creating Positive Work Environments

Daylight Mitigation

In order to promote sustainability, the envelope is equipped with high insulation values and all glazing is shaded by various solar protection systems.  Light shelves are employed to bounce indirect light further into the work spaces, while large overhangs shade the upper floors from the Florida Sun.  To further the energy savings, day light sensors and occupancy sensors are utilized on interior lighting fixtures.

Sustainable, Survivable Design Objectives:

Day Light and Views

• Provide daylight and views for 75% of occupants
• Use High Insulation Value Glazing Systems
• Use of Hybrid Translucent Wall Panels and Curtainwall Glazing
• Daylight Harvesting and Light Gardens
• Interior Glazing @ Day Lit Corridor to Borrow Light
• Solar Shading and Fixed Louvers

Sustainable Goals

• Reduce Long Term Operational  Cost with Water Cooled Chillers
• Design High Performance Exterior Facade
• Use High Efficiency Light Fixtures, Occupancy, and Light Sensors
• Capture Site Water Prior to Discharge and Reuse
• Reuse of Existing Downtown Urban Site
• Connect into Local Public Transportation Infrastructure
• Efficient Water Use Fixtures
• Grey Water Reuse
• Reflective Roofing
• Use of Low VOC Materials
• Use of High Recycled Content Materials
• Use of Slag and Fly Ash in Post-tension Concrete

Tags: Florida, Southwest

Category: Headquarters

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