This facility received the Law Enforcement Facilities III Bronze award in the 2021 Officer Law Enforcement Design Awards. Find the full list of winners here.
The Sharonville Police Department in Ohio had been operating out of an outdated and undersized facility within its traditionally designed municipal building. Although a previous study planned for shared police and fire facility, ultimately, a standalone police facility was envisioned, and programmatic requirements were developed accordingly.
As potential sites were identified, parameters were evaluated and test-fit plans developed to verify suitability for the project, allowing the City to confidently acquire property for its new station. The selected site is located in a light industrial area and extends between major roadways, allowing two means of ingress and egress for the department.
The character of the surrounding area deemed a traditional design foreign, allowing a contemporary design to take shape as a reflection of the building’s functions. Simple in form, the building incorporates inexpensive yet durable, low-maintenance materials to create a clean, modern, and forward-thinking civic design. Due to extreme budget constraints, the new facility needed to be highly efficient to maximize function while allowing for future growth. Within those parameters, concepts of openness and flexibility were incorporated and the footprint developed to allow future expansion through building additions. The interior was designed with visual transparency and exposed systems, providing a dynamic aesthetic while allowing flexibility for changing systems and technology.
The site and building incorporate principles of CPTED, providing a welcoming, friendly exterior environment while maintaining a high level of safety and security for the building and its occupants without the use of imposing design or site elements. Vehicular circulation avoids the building, which is further protected by a bioswale at the public faces. Although glazing is provided at the hard lobby and public areas, a durable masonry base with windows that avoid direct sight lines to personnel protects the lower level while upper level administrative and investigative functions enjoy a lighter façade.
Architect/Firm Name: MSA Design