Brentwood Police Headquarters

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.