Bayside Police Station

Security and safety

The same strict technical and, in particular, security requirements are achieved to create a safe working environment, all within the very tight cost constraints of this typology. Our intention was to reinforce the Victoria Police’s vision of a more open and interactive approach to contemporary policing.

The public face

The more public elements of the station are composed within an overarching formal frame, addressing the primary street and lifting the scale of the building to the adjacent Masonic Hall. This profiled concrete frame is like an abstraction of a portico, enlarging the entrance and sense of invitation while positioning the public meeting and control rooms in a tight composition whilst opening them to natural light from above.

Around a top-lit atrium

The work spaces, meeting rooms, sally port, holding rooms and gymnasium within the station are gathered around a central top-lit atrium, lined with timber. The atrium is the central circulation spine, a place for informal meetings and special events with a stage created by the switchback stair, but also an honorific space of contemplation to the nature of community policing. Within this top-lit space is an integrated exhibition/artwork displaying the historical progression of the local police from the turn of the twentieth century through to the present time.

Awards
2013	Australian Institute of Architects (Victorian Chapter)	Public Architecture (New), commendation
2011	Australian Timber Design Awards	Interior Fitout, Commercial, winner
2011	Australian Timber Design Awards	Timber Panels, winner
2011	Australian Interior Design Awards	Public Design, highly commended
2011	World Architecture Festival	Civic and Community, shortlist

Press
23 Jan 2012	ArchitectureAU	Highly commended entries in the 2011 Australian Interior Design Awards
19 Aug 2011	ArchitectureAU	Australian and New Zealand projects shortlisted for World Architecture Festival
19 May 2011	ArchDaily	Bayside Police Station / FJMT
4 May 2011	e-architect	Bayside Police Station Sandringham
1 Dec 2010	LG Focus	Encouraging better design