The City of Lafayette and American Structurepoint have earned an award for design excellence for the Lafayette Public Safety Center from the Indiana Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

The 70,000-sft public safety center’s design incorporates several state-of-the-art technology features and community policing concepts. Design team partners included Architects Design Group (ADG), a national firm specializing in public safety facilities; MKSK landscape architects, who designed a public plaza and greenspace; Applied Engineering Services, who provided the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design, and Kettelhut Construction, who served as general contractor and construction manager.

City officials and the design team partnered to create a cutting-edge space for the Lafayette Police Department and multiple gathering spaces where police officers and the public can build better relationships.

A high-tech Analysis and Response Center (ARC) serves as the police department’s special operations and criminal intelligence hub. The ARC contains 16 monitors and an 86-inch interactive smart board that can tap into a live feed of every surveillance camera and body camera across Lafayette. Additional security elements include bullet-resistant glazing in key areas and a safe room where victims of crime can seek immediate assistance from police officers.

The public safety center’s emphasis on community engagement is evident in the design. A second-floor community room can accommodate up to 100 guests. The community room adjoins an outdoor plaza featuring a pergola and seating area for live entertainment and movie screenings. A large 2-story lobby, connected by a monumental staircase, further enhances public access. In addition, the center contains several sustainability features, including an array of over 200 rooftop solar panels estimated to offset energy usage by up to 40% and a strategic use of glazing to reduce artificial lighting loads.

The design team also achieved the city’s goal of repurposing the historical façade of an early-1900s-era brick building as part of the new center. The historical building was located on the site of the new center. Brick and limestone from the building’s storefront were carefully disassembled, preserved and stored off-site for over a year. These components were reassembled in front of the center’s parking structure to provide a vibrant, micro-retail space for two small businesses.

“We are honored to share this recognition with the City of Lafayette and our design partners,” said Brandon Hoopingarner, American Structurepoint’s architecture principal. “The center provides the Lafayette Police Department with a modern facility featuring accessible public spaces for many future community interactions.”