High-Impact Design for Public Safety: Law Enforcement Training Center

The architecture of the proposed new LETC incorporates the specific material resource of “upcycled” shipping containers. The compelling opportunity to design with containers at the scale of the project arose from the large number the Colleges owned but no longer needed for storage. Their inherent character met the moment – we leaned into the industrial materiality to bring a strong, utilitarian aesthetic to our design response.

Given the containers’ low head height, they were not useful for habitable spaces. Accordingly, we incorporated the brightly painted containers as armatures – supporting elevated classrooms, administrative support spaces, and shaded, outdoor spaces. The reinforced containers house highly secured armories and other support spaces. Bold safety-yellow and black chevron supergraphics are at home in this tactical training facility – instilling a sense of mission and camaraderie. This sustainable, utilitarian design blends functionality with a sense of community, intended to foster team-building among trainees in a tough, resilient setting.

In plan and building design, the indoor and outdoor spaces combine efficiency and flexibility, adaptable to the activities of training faculty and students.

• The cloistered plan of the LETC is organized along an east-west axis, creating a focused, sheltered environment. Large overhangs provide ample shade, while a west-facing scrim helps control sunlight. Informal outdoor learning areas encourage collaboration and flexibility.
• Abundant south-facing glazing, shaded by large overhangs, admits natural light into classrooms.
• Elevated porches wrap around classrooms, providing views into the courtyard.
• The repurposed containers were by nature a key contribution to the environmental sustainability of the new construction, supported by best-practice sustainable energy and water conservation strategies incorporated into the plan and building design. The project specified underground storage for rainwater harvesting.