Omaha Police Department West Precinct
Omaha Police Department West Precinct
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Omaha, Nebraska
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City of Omaha
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36,000 SF
3.5 acres -
Master planning
Programming
Architecture
Interiors
Engineering
The design approach for the OPD West Precinct was to create a highly functional, secure facility while maintaining a welcoming civic expression to the community. The building is positioned centrally on the site with public parking and an entry plaza in the foreground. The plaza is made up of functional landscape that integrates protective barriers, benches, site walls and shade trees to form an outdoor "room" as an extension of the public lobby. A gated "secure perimeter" surrounds the rear portion of the site and provides a secure outdoor space for police vehicle circulation and parking around the building.
Inside, a north/south circulation spine provides a clear circulation path within the building, connecting the divisions and centrally located shared spaces. The functional zones of the building are reinforced through the expression of material and form. The southeast portion of the building contains the public zone (the lobby and community room). The materials express the public nature through transparency and porosity towards the street. The southern roofline is raised to have a civic presence in relation to the surrounding context and the wood overhang gestures toward the public street and shades the glass from the high summer sun. A wood ceiling for the lobby and community room is expressed on the interior, as well as under the entry overhang to enhance the connection between the plaza and public spaces. The community room is surrounded by opaque walls, with a clearstory above. The public space becomes a welcoming lantern-like beacon in the evening.
The secure zone that houses the principal police functions has a contrasting character to the public zone - it is solid and opaque. The treatment of these interior spaces emphasizes functionality, security, durability, construction economy and privacy. Strategically placed high windows (to inhibit visibility to the inside of the building) allow natural light into offices and fitness room. Exterior materials include metal panel cladding and brick.
