Somerville Police Station is a result of the need to accommodate 150 staff in the rural township of Somerville, South-East of Melbourne, Victoria.
The architectural form of the station is divided into two. The ground floor/base is encased with precast concrete panels that ground the building to the site, providing a solid sanctuary for those in need of assistance and protection.
The precast concrete contrasts directly with the bright oxidised red of the upper level Corten steel façade. On the street facing sides of the building, the upper level steel Corten cladding is folded to resemble the five points on a star. A direct visual reference to the star on the police badge, each point referencing the Victorian Police’s core values of ‘integrity, flexibility, respect, support, and professionalism’ – as well as metaphorically reaching out to the community.
The station houses a Uniform Branch, Highway Patrol, a Crime Scene Unit, and Executive Branch, with appropriate onsite parking for the police, patrol units, staff, and visitors.
Located at a key intersection of a rural township, and bounded by natural flora and residential homes, it was important to maintain the natural context of the site, protecting and maintaining existing vegetation whilst following the natural contour of the land and providing an established civic presence for Somerville Police.
The oxidised red of the Corten steel in particular was a response to the natural flora of the region, alluding to the hue of fallen leaves and cones of the conifer trees that grow adjacent to the site.
Internally, this relationship between building and landscape were reflected in material choices of warm and textural timber elements – spotted gum panels throughout, accented by a neutral materials palette.
The upper level of the building is flooded with natural light due to the wide glazed windows positioned to provide tree-top views, and a diffused light that streams down onto the open office spaces that imply the natural dappled light effect of tree canopies.
The building also hosts environmentally sustainable design features, namely an on-site rainwater collection stored below ground for irrigation use, and solar panels installed on the upper roof to make the most of our Australian sun.
Material Used:
1. Corten Metal Cladding
2. Patterned Precast Concrete With Mineral Oxide Colour Pigment Additive To Grey Cement (Champagne @ 4.15%) – By Abilox
3. Retractable And Adjustable External Louvre Screens, Anodised Aluminium Finish By Aaf Anodisers
4. Anodised Aluminium Windows, Doors And Screens, (Colour: Burnt Sienna) By Aaf Anodisers
5. Spotted Gum Timber Panels, Sculptform
