Durham Region Police Services, Clarington Police Complex (East Division Building) | DIALOG

The Clarington Police Complex is a beacon – perched on a slight rise on a prominent corner, it orients itself towards the community it serves. Durham Region Police Service’s new home provides the police with a highly functional, purpose-built facility to serve the needs of their growing community.
Clarington Police Complex (CPC) has increased the wellbeing of three distinct communities: the site’s environment and ecosystem has been improved through the rehabilitation and protection of the site, local citizens receive increased safety through improved police services, and the police themselves benefit from the improved working conditions provided by their new facility.
Architect: Jennifer Zatser
Country: Canada

Targeting LEED® Silver certification, the Complex addresses the environment in many ways. Specialty experts were part of the consultant team, guiding the project throughout the LEED® process, identifying ways in which the buildings could operate efficiently, and determining how the site could be an active contributor to a healthy ecosystem.

Special considerations in the development of the site were taken since the Darlington Creek runs through the centre of the property. This important watershed was naturalized and protected in the development of the site, just one of many sustainable measures taken in the project. CPC has been designed as a ‘post-disaster’ facility with 100% redundancy on critical systems and the buildings have been raised above the 100-year flood line.
The building’s volumes have been designed to enhance the neighbourhood. This is not your typical looking cop shop. The exterior of the building incorporates natural stone and wood with continuous strip windows at pedestrian height, complementing the naturalized site. A second floor mechanical penthouse (a feature that can often ruin a building’s appearance) has been tastefully designed to balance its form with the rest of the building, providing an attractive view for neighbouring residents. Currently, they are hosting tours of the complex due to the large number of requests from the local community.

CPC is enhancing the professional lives of the police community who work in the buildings. Police officers work stressful jobs and are exposed to strenuous and emotionally tolling situations every day of their lives. These buildings take occupant wellbeing to heart, providing an abundance of natural light and windows throughout. The headquarters building is arranged around a large inner courtyard that provides private space for the police to enjoy meals and social activities outdoors in a secure area. The abundance of light streaming in through the courtyard also filters into the common work areas and offices, providing bright and healthy working conditions. Additionally, the inner courtyard allows the police within the building to see their coworkers across the space, a benefit to social interaction and security.

This increased wellbeing throughout the communities involved with this project is the direct result of a collaborative process which saw the inclusion of all stakeholder groups in the design. The end result of this collaboration is a fantastically successful project that the project team is deservedly proud of.