They don’t call New York the Big Apple for nothing. Its new Police Training Academy is Big Apple big. At 720,000 sf, the academy can train two thousand recruits and law enforcement personnel at a time. It is arguably the most advanced self-contained facility of its kind in the world.
The 480,000-sf academic/administration building (classrooms, library, admin/faculty offices) is linked via an aerial pedestrian bridge to the 240,000-sf physical training facility (running track, tactical gymnasium, scuba pool, mock situation environments), a central utility plant, and a muster court.
BRONZE AWARD
New York City Police Training Academy
Queens, N.Y.
The joint venture CM of Turner Construction/STV had to build on a 35-acre city landfill in the College Point section of Queens, near LaGuardia Airport. This led to one of the most stringent environmental compliance efforts ever for a public facility in the city. Decades of household, industrial, and commercial waste had to be dug up and remediated. The entire infrastructure was propped up above the 100-year flood plain so that it could remain operational under extreme weather conditions. The project earned LEED Gold certification.
The project required 65 prime contractors and more than 300 subcontractors. To manage all this, the NYC Department of Design and Construction set up an integrated project office for 100 stakeholders. “Zones of expertise” were formed to enable disciplinary leaders—architecture, structural engineering, interior design, etc.—to communicate readily and make timely decisions. This enabled the Building Team to start work on the foundation and order almost 9,000 tons of structural steel before designs were 100% finalized. It was the first time the NYCDDC had ever used a “big room” on a project, and it worked.
In the night view of the main building, the LED light sculpture in the atrium is by Erwin Redl. Photo: Ed Hueber/Archphoto. Click to enlarge.
BUILDING TEAM
+Submitting firm: Turner Construction Co./STV Joint Venture (CM)
+Owner: New York City Department of Design and Construction
+Architect: Perkins+Will, with Michael Fieldman Consulting Architects
+Structural: Robert Silman Associates; Guy Nordenson and Associates Structural Engineers; Weidlinger Associates
+Civil, geotechnical consultant: Langan Engineering and Environmental Services
+MEP: WSP Global
+Interior storefront systems consultant: Permasteelisa
+Lighting consultants: Bartenbach; Hillman Dibernardo & Associates
+Land use review consultant: FXFOWLE Architects
+Landscaping consultants: Balmori Associates; HMWhite
GENERAL INFORMATION
Project size: 720,000 sf
Construction cost: confidential at client’s request
Construction period: December 2009 to
December 2015
Delivery method: Design-bid-build
Related Stories
Building Team | Oct 11, 2022
Associated Materials® Celebrates the Company’s Rich History, Which Began 75 Years Ago with the Founding of Alside
Since its inception in 1947, Alside® has been a leader in innovation and continues this very commitment to excellence – in people, products and services.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 5, 2022
Co-living spaces, wellness-minded designs among innovations in multifamily housing
The booming multifamily sector shows no signs of a significant slowdown heading into 2023. Here is a round up of Giants 400 firms that are driving innovation in this sector.
Fire and Life Safety | Oct 4, 2022
Fire safety considerations for cantilevered buildings
Bold cantilevered designs are prevalent today, as developers and architects strive to maximize space, views, and natural light in buildings. Cantilevered structures, however, present a host of challenges for building teams, according to José R. Rivera, PE, Associate Principal and Director of Plumbing and Fire Protection with Lilker.
| Oct 3, 2022
The College of the Holy Cross completes a $110 million performing arts center
In Worcester, Mass., a one-hour drive from Boston, the College of the Holy Cross has completed its $110 million Prior Performing Arts Center.
Resiliency | Sep 30, 2022
Designing buildings for wildfire defensibility
Wold Architects and Engineers' Senior Planner Ryan Downs, AIA, talks about how to make structures and communities more fire-resistant.
| Sep 23, 2022
High projected demand for new housing prompts debate on best climate-friendly materials
The number of people living in cities could increase to 80% of the total population by 2100. That could require more new construction between now and 2050 than all the construction done since the start of the industrial revolution.
| Sep 23, 2022
Central offices making a comeback after pandemic
In the early stages of the Covid pandemic, commercial real estate industry experts predicted that businesses would increasingly move toward a hub-and-spoke office model.
| Sep 22, 2022
Gainesville, Fla., ordinance requires Home Energy Score during rental inspections
The city of Gainesville, Florida was recently recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Energy for an adopted ordinance that requires rental housing to receive a Home Energy Score during rental inspections.
| Sep 20, 2022
NIBS develops implementation plan for digital transformation of built environment
The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) says it has developed an implementation and launch plan for a sweeping digital transformation of the built environment.
University Buildings | Aug 25, 2022
Higher education, striving for ‘normal’ again, puts student needs at the center of project planning
Sustainability and design flexibility are what higher education clients are seeking consistently, according to the dozen AEC Giants contacted for this article. “University campuses across North America are commissioning new construction projects designed to make existing buildings and energy systems more sustainable, and are building new flexible learning space that bridge the gap between remote and in-person learning,” say Patrick McCafferty, Arup’s Education Business Leader–Americas East region, and Matt Humphries, Education Business Leader in Canada region.
