in new york, SOM has completed a new facility designed to enhance NYC’s 911 emergency response system. contained within a perfect cube, the public safety answering center II (PSAC II) brings together multiple city agencies, including the police department, the fire department, and emergency medical services. located on a prominent nine-acre site in the bronx, the 450,000 square foot building has been designed to be as secure as possible, while still contributing to the surrounding urban fabric.

SOM's 'perfect cube' in the bronx enhances NYC's emergency response system
the building is located on a prominent nine-acre site in the bronx
image and video courtesy SOM / © albert vecerka | esto

 

 

serving as a back-up facility to the city’s primary call center, PSAC II increases new york city’s ability to maintain communication in the event of a natural disaster or large-scale emergency. designed by SOM as a perfect cube, the structure’s almost windowless elevations are the result of security concerns. to reduce the building’s monolithic appearance, the architects developed a serrated façade that includes recycled aluminum.

SOM's 'perfect cube' in the bronx enhances NYC's emergency response system
a raised bank of wild grass helps to protect the facility
image courtesy SOM / © albert vecerka | esto

 

 

the cubic structure is bordered by a raised bank of wild grass, which helps to protect the facility and shield views of the surface parking from the nearby hutchinson river and pelham parkways. the landscape, which requires no irrigation, also offers the building’s occupants a connection with the natural world. meanwhile, the project’s interiors are designed to be soothing environments for the site’s emergency response teams.

SOM's 'perfect cube' in the bronx enhances NYC's emergency response system
the facility has been designed to enhance NYC’s 911 emergency response system
image courtesy SOM / © albert vecerka | esto

 

 

the main gathering space includes a plant wall developed by CASE, the design research laboratory of SOM, in partnership with rensselaer polytechnic institute. this feature not only brings nature inside the building, but also filters air and reduces overall energy use. PSAC II is targeting LEED gold certification.

SOM's 'perfect cube' in the bronx enhances NYC's emergency response system
the architects developed a serrated façade that includes recycled aluminum
image courtesy SOM / © albert vecerka | esto

SOM's 'perfect cube' in the bronx enhances NYC's emergency response system
the almost windowless elevations are the result of security concerns
image courtesy SOM / © albert vecerka | esto

SOM's 'perfect cube' in the bronx enhances NYC's emergency response system
the site’s landscaping requires no irrigation
image courtesy SOM / © albert vecerka | esto

SOM's 'perfect cube' in the bronx enhances NYC's emergency response system
the main gathering space includes a plant wall
image courtesy SOM / © albert vecerka | esto

SOM's 'perfect cube' in the bronx enhances NYC's emergency response system
the project’s interiors have been designed to be as soothing as possible
image courtesy SOM / © albert vecerka | esto

SOM's 'perfect cube' in the bronx enhances NYC's emergency response system
a small and secluded outdoor area provides a connection with nature
image courtesy SOM / © albert vecerka | esto

 

 

timelapse illustrating how the appearance of the façade changes throughout the day
video courtesy SOM / © albert vecerka | esto

SOM's 'perfect cube' in the bronx enhances NYC's emergency response system
the 450,000 square foot building has been designed to be as secure as possible
image courtesy SOM / © albert vecerka | esto

SOM's 'perfect cube' in the bronx enhances NYC's emergency response system
the scheme seeks to contribute to the surrounding urban fabric
image courtesy SOM / © albert vecerka | esto

 

 

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SOM public safety answering center II bronx new york designboom
 
SOM public safety answering center II bronx new york designboom
 
SOM public safety answering center II bronx new york designboom
 
SOM public safety answering center II bronx new york designboom
 
SOM public safety answering center II bronx new york designboom
 
SOM public safety answering center II bronx new york designboom
 
SOM public safety answering center II bronx new york designboom
 
SOM public safety answering center II bronx new york designboom
 

 

project info:

 

name: public safety answering center II
location: the bronx, new york
project completion: 2016
project area: 450,000 sqf / 41,806 sqm
market: civic + government
service: architecture, interior design

 

client: new york city department of design and construction
architect and interior designer: skidmore, owings & merrill LLP (SOM)
design partner: gary haney
managing partner: laura ettelman
managing partner: peter magill
technical partner: carl galioto
interior design partner: stephen apking
managing director: mark regulinski
technical director: nicholas holt
project manager: emily mottolese
project manager: mark leininger
project manager: joseph sacco
senior design architect: rob rothblatt
senior interior designer: cynthia mirbach
senior technical coordinator: carl brown
senior technical architect: lesley campbell
senior technical architect: ross goldsworthy

 

structural engineer: thornton tomasetti
MEP engineer: jaros baum & bolles
civil engineer: philip habib & associates
geotechnical engineer: langan engineering & environmental services
construction manager: tishman construction
active modular phytoremediation wall system (AMPS): center for architecture science & ecology (CASE)
sustainability consultant: vidaris
landscape architect: thomas balsley associates
graphic designer: lebowitz/gould design, inc.
lighting designer: domingo gonzalez associates
blast designer: thornton tomasetti
security design consultant: shen milson & wilke, LLC
acoustical and vibration designer: shen milson & wilke, LLC
vertical transportation consultant: van deusen & associates
code consultant: milrose consultants
cost estimating consultant: ellana, inc.
kitchen consultant: hopkins foodservice specialists, inc.

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