Tacoma Police Headquarters

City of Tacoma Police Department

Tacoma, Washington

Tacoma's new Police Headquarters is a 72,740 square foot facility located in a neighborhood of shopping malls and fast-food restaurants. The city sought a permanent, civic building which satisfies the need for internal security while presenting an open, welcoming face to the community. The facility provides for a variety of police operations and functions, public meeting spaces, public parking and secured parking for police officers

The design solution is an L-shaped organization consisting of a three story block with a one story arm turned perpendicular separated by a transparent gasket between. The three story block contains all police operations while the one story arm houses public meeting spaces. The sloped glass gasket between functions as an open and welcoming entry point and mixing zone for both police and visitors. The L-shaped organization creates a civic street-wall and linear plaza in front while enclosing a secure police parking court in the rear. The plaza functions as both a civic feature and security measure by providing a welcoming pedestrian zone and a buffer between the building and street. Internally, the police operations block is organized around a three story atrium which provides daylight to everyone and an opportunity for informal contact between the police staff. The City of Tacoma Police Headquarters is LEED Silver certified.

Design/ Managing Architect: TCF Architecture

Architect of Record: Architects Rassmussen Triebelhorn