The largest standalone police station in Victoria, this 24-hour facility covers 5,000m2 of floor area and is built over two levels in a prominent location. A technically advanced facility, it was constructed primarily from lightweight materials and achieved sustainability through its innovative design. The steel-framed sculptural glass double facades create an ‘air buffer’ which is used to control the building’s internal temperature. Used strategically on a seasonal basis to create sun-shading, the building’s ‘inner’ façade improves amenity for its users, while the ‘outer’ skin creates a unique profile and incorporates water sprinklers to assist in thermal control.
Highly automated, the building’s management system controls many of its windows, lighting controls, blinds, ceiling fans, vents and other systems. The building also incorporates offices, prisoner holding spaces and interview facilities, muster areas, offices and ancillary spaces able to cater for the needs of the buildings’ four collocated operational policing groups. A reflection of the building’s quality, it was awarded the 2007 AIB National High Commendation for Commercial Construction projects valued at $10 - $50 million.