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Redstone Architects and Redstone Public Safety Consulting Group serves the law enforcment, public safety and justice communities with architectural and consulting services. 

Public Buildings; are they all Taj Mahals?

People critical of a proposed, new public building often use a common cliché:  “It looks like the Taj Mahal.” Supporters of the new building should consider taking this as a compliment to the community’s Building Committee and architect who designed the facility.  Why?  

Because in today’s economic climate, every new project in every community is designed with full awareness of the economic situation we are just coming out of.  No elected official wants to be accused with supporting a facility that the community cannot afford, such as a “Taj Mahal.”  Building Committees strive to build what a department or agency really needs to operate safely and securely, at the best value for their community.

The design process helps assure a cost effective solution.  Space Needs Assessments are based on current and future needs.  There are no more “wants” left in assessments.  Today it is the norm to review operations with the departments involved to find more efficient ways to do things, and to use less space.  Design layouts are models of efficiency.  Materials and building systems are chosen for their cost effectiveness over the 50-100 year life of the building.  Brick is not marble, but it is durable.  Brick has been used for thousands of years as a basic building material.

Public Buildings reflect their community, so it is important that every public building leaves a positive impression every citizen will be proud of as they use it or just drive by.  Public buildings can be attractive without being extravagant, even when using basic building materials.

So what is the real Taj Mahal?

·         It is the “crowning jewel” of Indo-Islamic architecture.

·         It was finished in 1632 after 20 years of construction and using 20,000 laborers.

·         It was built as a tomb for the wife of the Indian ruler Shah Jahan out of his love for her.

·         Only the finest materials and the most immaculate Makrana marble were used.

·         The Taj Mahal vaunts the ruler’s grandeur and munificence

·         Adding to the beauty of the Taj Mahal is the extraordinary delicacy of the floral motifs that embellish the marble surface.

·         Everywhere there is jasper and several other rare and costly stones, presented in a hundred different ways, mixed together and set in the marble that covers the wall. Even the black and white marble floor tiles are decorated in like manner, with unimaginable delicacy and taste

·         It is a tourist attraction that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to it each year

So, to answer the skeptic who has just said: “It looks like the Taj Mahal,” thank them for the compliment, and tell them how are proud you are of the client-architect team that worked together to create a great value for the community.  Tell them that this building will be efficient, durable and long-lasting, and will serve our children and grandchildren well -  long after we are gone. 

COLLABORATIVE SPACES & FACE TIME

When developing the design for a Public Safety Facility, particular attention must be focused on creating efficient workflows, as well as the creation of staff spaces that encourage interaction through face-time.   These spaces offer the opportunity for members of the department to have direct communication with one another, as opposed to texting, email, or even an occasional phone conversation.  We refer to these spaces as collaborative spaces.

It’s been generally recognized by public safety agencies that the quality of the work environment affects morale and performance of their employees. Spaces such as the Exercise Room and Break Rooms have always been a part of any public safety building program. Traditionally, these spaces were the main areas where staff was able to interface on a casual basis.  However, these spaces are often thought of as secondary spaces, and were located in the far corners of a facility, off of the main circulation paths of the building. 

A successful public safety building design would allow various divisions within the department to interface and share information through the use of informal meeting and gathering spaces. Collaborative spaces can act as “focal points,” and might be strategically placed along main circulation paths to foster more interaction among the employees (face time) to create a more efficient and cooperative work environment.   To create traffic and encourage interaction, collaborative spaces could contain other elements such as bulletin boards and mailboxes, and might be developed as part of a common core of shared spaces.

Waterford, MI Police Department - Main Staff Hallway

  

Troy, MI Police Department Break Area off of Main Hall

  

 

 

 

In addition to location, the physical design of a collaborative space is a key to its success.  Attention should be given to its physical and aesthetic characteristics to help create an inviting, warm, and casual space. Introducing daylight and creating a feel of openness and transparency all enhance the work environment and create community space for the department that will be used by all.

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