The MPD asked Sorg Architects to create a high-concept design that would establish a sense of openness and community and support the Police Department's mission to convey a spirit of collaboration in the service of crime prevention and safety, all within a limited budget. The 12,000 sf facility forms a quad out of a previously underutilized site that bled into a sea of parking lots. The facility includes lobbies, lounges, offices, five state-of-the-art classrooms, and a 180-seat auditorium that services meetings, cadet graduations, retirement ceremonies, and public programs. Expansive façade glazing creates a sense of openness, while alternating glass grid patterns create a reassuring effect and connect interior spaces to the outdoors. Exterior brick relates to an adjacent existing building, with the brickwork itself lending a solid materiality and sense of seriousness that does not conflict with the serenity of the garden setting.

Client: Metropolitan Police Department