Garland Police Property and Evidence

This facility received the LE Facilities III Gold award in the 2022 Officer Station Design Awards.

Driven by the desire to elevate the Garland Police Department’s processing procedures, and to provide improved working conditions for staff, the new Garland Police Property & Evidence Building aims to be the industry’s new benchmark. Located on one of Garland’s most prominent thoroughfares as a stand-alone structure, the project presents an opportunity to integrate an often hidden component of a department’s operations into the fabric of the city as a new point of civic pride. The façade utilizes an innovative ultra-high performance concrete panel system to reference the strength and security of the building typology while simultaneously celebrating the subtleties of light and shadow, symbolic of the investigative process. The building’s form slides apart, a reference to the functionality of the high-density storage shelving that fills the interior. Warm-toned natural limestone and terracotta panels welcome visitors to the building entry.

The former facility was devoid of natural light, while the new building allows sunlight to flood the interior of the new technician workspaces with windows providing expansive views to the outdoors. The breakroom opens to an outdoor patio and trellis feature, providing a communal gathering space for staff to eat lunch or grab fresh air throughout their workday. The Property & Evidence Vault is hardened to protect the irreplaceable assets inside. As the Department has outgrown their existing facility, multiple layers of future expansion planning have been incorporated into the design to ensure service to the Department and Community can continue for decades to come.

Architect/Firm Name: BRW Architects