| Project Name: | Council Bluffs Police Headquarters |
| Location: | Council Bluffs, Iowa |
| Architect: | Hoefer Wysocki |
| Client: | SGH Concepts |
| CEI Materials System: | R3000 |
| Products: | Aluminum Composite Material (ACM), Column Covers |
| Photography: | renderings courtesy of Hoefer Wysocki Architects, all other photography CEI Materials |
Architects Design Impressive Police Headquarters To Fit Growing Needs Of Community
Hoefer Wysocki Architects completed the Council Bluffs Police Headquarters in Council Bluffs, Iowa in 2018. The new law enforcement center took over a nearly 40-year-old building the department simply outgrew. The architects describe, “At 19,000 sq. ft., the original police station, attached to the Pottawatomie County Courthouse, proved too small to effectively serve the growing community.”
Rendering Courtesy of Hoefer Wysocki Architects
The architects were involved in various components of the process, not just interior and exterior design. They participated in evaluating potential sites and assisted the city in their bond election process. Interestingly, and proving the need for an updated facility, the bond passed unanimously within the city council and the community support was overwhelming.
The updated 52,000 sq. ft. facility was designed with a welcoming and long-lasting exterior. The architects explain, “The building’s orientation coincides with large overhangs to maximize natural light while maintaining an energy-conscious approach to design. Material selection and building massing reflect the values of the city, using warm masonry to complement historic buildings in the community.”
The exterior also features aluminum composite elements, seen in the building’s cornice and column covers. The metal components were fabricated and supplied by CEI Materials utilizing the team’s R3000 Pressure Equalized Rainscreen System. The use of metal against the predominantly stone exterior offers a fantastic juxtaposition, showcasing a contemporary aesthetic.
Rendering Courtesy of Hoefer Wysocki Architects
Providing triple the amount of space as their original building, the new headquarters features a cyber-crime lab, police dog kennel, office and storage facilities. Additionally, the building was designed with a large meeting room where the department can engage with the community through outreach programs.
The previously used police station was returned to the city to be repurposed.