Title: Metro Nashville Police Department Headquarters and Family Safety Center
Location of Proejct: Nashville, Tennessee
Project Completion Date: March 2019
Firm Name: HASTINGS and TMPartners, PLLC

Short Description: Two seemingly opposed intentions coexist within a comprehensive mission to serve and protect both the community at large and families in crisis.

Architect's Statement: Police Departments were under intense scrutiny when the Mayor boldly announced the new Metro Nashville Police Headquarters (PDHQ) and the new Family Safety Center (FSC) would be constructed on the same site, as one comprehensive project which required two distinct yet related buildings on one site.

The PDHQ stands at street-level with an open and transparent façade, creating an approachable outward face for the Department. The interior finishes balance the required security measures with a welcoming entrance and feature dedicated facilities for the city’s public servants: collaboration areas, wellness facilities and relaxation spaces, intentionally included to prioritize self-care.

The FSC, a multi-agency initiative for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, requires a different arrival experience and building interaction. To aid and encourage the engagement of the victims the building is serving, the FSC is rotated perpendicular to the PDHQ. Placing the arrival off the public thoroughfare of Murfreesboro Pike and away from the PDHQ gives visitors the security and privacy they require.

Inside, the serene color palette, natural materials and home-like features encourage relaxation and connection. These trauma-informed design intends to alleviate stress and reassure safety for victims and advocates alike. At the heart of the FSC, a “play prism” reinforces the organizations’ missions with a central area for children with viewpoints for visitors and staff from every angle.