Brentwood Police Headquarters
Large Project (over 25,000 sf)
The Brentwood Police Headquarters is a new facility that aggregates a variety of users and spaces into a consolidated and clearly organized environment. The building accommodates the various departments of the police along with specialized training rooms, a community room that doubles as a municipal courtroom, and the city’s 911-dispatch center. The police were previously co-located with the City Hall but the new location allows the headquarters to be more identifiable and centrally located within its community. The architecture seeks to establish a autonomous and purposeful identity within the community which promotes a positive visibility within the community.
Awards Year | 2024
Project Statement
This new centrally located facility presents public safety as a vital and integral resource to the community. Both the organization and architectural articulation of the building respond to the sensitive balance of open and protective environments in a public safety facility. Public facing spaces with relaxed access are on the first floor at the main lobby and include a courtroom, community room, and records department. Areas which require a degree of separation including an indoor firing range and digital simulation room are also on the first floor for easy use by other community agents. Areas which require more restrictive access to protect information, evidence, process, and people are located on the upper floors without public access. The building mass and organization works with the slope of the site to separate public and secure parking. Public parking is in the front at ground level adjacent to the public lobby. Staff and officers access the second level on grade from secured parking at the rear of the building. The upper level accommodates the focused police business and technical functions including offices, interview, investigation, holding and staff support. Also included is a new 911 dispatch center. The diverse aspects of the facility are anchored by a ‘hub’ created by break and support areas on both floors connected by an open stair. This ‘heart’ of the building streamlines their daily process, encourages cohesion as an internal community and promotes camaraderie. The interiors finishes address the durability needs while creating an enjoyable work environment.
Framework for Design Excellence Narrative
Design for Resources - The project planning included significant time in detailed programming and analysis to right-size the building and provide multi-functional spaces where feasible, keeping the project’s resource commitment limited to necessities. The primary commons circulation area of the building features an insulated translucent skylight, providing filtered daylighting and minimizing the need for electrified lighting. Locally sourced materials were given priority, including substantial use of floor and wall tile which was extracted, produced, and shipped entirely within Tennessee.
Design for Well-being - The stresses inherent in the daily work of 911, police, and EMS staff are always at the forefront in a responsive design, and this project has multiple features to address them, from community-building to occupant safety. In lieu of scattering smaller break spaces throughout the building, casual gathering and break areas are focused on generous, centralized hubs intended to foster mixing and interaction between all departments, ranks, and job roles within the building. Daylighting and transparency is provided throughout office areas by utilizing broad glass office fronts organized around central teaming areas. High-performance mechanical systems and laboratory-grade spaces are provided to ensure the safety of staff who must deal with hazardous and narcotic evidence. And 911 dispatchers, who perform continuously under high stress, are provided additional features in support of their mental health. These include a secure outdoor patio overlooking a nearby pond and broad north-facing windows with a daylight sensing system which maintains indirect, glare-free illumination at all hours. Nursing and quiet rooms are also provided in the facility for all staff.
Design for Economy - The design embraces a site with substantial slope by organizing the building with one floor partially buried and utilized for training and storage functions for which windows would be a hinderance. Perimeter windows include multiple high-performance glazing types to suit the interior function and cardinal direction, providing ample daylight while also controlling solar heat gain. As a building which is intended to serve its community over multiple decades, materials and systems offering longevity were given preference over options which would need early replacement.
LEED/Green Certifications
Photo Captions
1. Public Entrance presented an open and transparent lobby with secure offices on upper floor, illuminated bollards great visitors while proving protection to the building.
2. Overall view of the building from the west – Public facing side of the building with secured parking in the rear. The large, cantilevered roof provides solar shading and a welcoming façade for visitors.
3. Site plan – The building stretching north to south on the property provides a visual barrier which separates the public parking on the west side from the secured staff car park on the east side of the building. Staff entrance on the east is on the upper level of the building, while the public entrance is on the lower level of the building. Secure delivery is on the southside of the building, while a separate annex building is at the rear of the property with a separate impound lot.
4. Building Plans – (North is to the right) – the lower floor houses public areas, staff training and evidence storage. The upper floor contains the balance of the police office functions including the 911 dispatch center.
5. The public entry of the building welcomes the community with a clear entry point and ample glazing as a symbol of the openness and relationship of the department with the community they serve.
6. The Records & Public Lobby features a mural of pastoral Brentwood along with a raised map of the city.
7. Staff Entrance - a canopy greets the staff, next to their own lion, reminding them of their role as protectors, directly next to the entrance is the departmental memorial wall which memorializes those lost in service and retirees with significant service durations. The staff break room is directly behind the wall with an outdoor dining area.
8. Staff hubs on upper level and typical office space for informal gathering, Central hub is ringed with staff briefing area, mailboxes, break area, locker room, and administrative offices. Desk will house departmental mentor and coordinator.
9. Staff breakrooms throughout offer a space for staff to relax and recharge, with an emphasis on timeless materials, natural light, and exterior views.
10. City Courtroom judge’s bench in community room, evidence bag & tag, and the indoor firing range.
11. Central stair at end of main level hub connecting to the lower level training hub. Like many areas of the building the architecture integrated department values in the permanent messaging and signage.
12. An exterior view of the dispatch center, highlighting the emphasis on north facing natural lighting for occupant well-being and stress management. Directly below the dispatch is the community room with windows opening to the north facing light and adjacent pond.
13. Brick and stone veneer provide linear texture for a warm and inviting exterior while maintaining the language of civic architecture.
14. Building lighting was integral to presenting the public with a transparent and welcoming image of the police department. Lighting was chosen to accent the limestone and brick and phenolic soffit materials.
15. The public entry in evening a composition of landscape, lighting, and materials to welcome the public.
