The Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) Building is a pioneering model for alternative emergency community response, designed in collaboration with the Albuquerque Police and Fire Departments. This project has garnered national attention as it houses the combined city services for 911 calls related to mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness, ensuring timely and appropriate responses while facilitating access to social services.
Located in Albuquerque’s International District, the ACS project created a space that is both welcoming and healing for both the staff and visitors, with an inviting plaza featuring shade trees and seating areas. The architectural design creates a clear separation between public and staff areas through private interior courtyards. These landscaped courtyards provide essential private rejuvenation spaces for the staff, alleviating workday stress.
The building is organized into three distinct components: public, semi-public, and private. The public area includes a lobby and multipurpose rooms for community use. The semi-public area facilitates staff collaboration and provides access to secured courtyards. The private section, reserved for staff, contains offices, a lounge, locker rooms, and an open workspace with visual access to the courtyard, ensuring ample natural light and connection to the nature throughout the entire facility.
Sustainability is a key feature, with the building’s orientation optimizing daylight and minimizing glare. The fully-electric building is designed with infrastructure for future photovoltaic panels and EV charging stations with the aim of achieving Net-zero energy certification.
This project created an innovative urban design that enriches the neighborhood, combined with architectural excellence, sustainability, and community focus. It creates a new model for a humane and cost-effective public safety response that is garnering national attention.
Square Feet: 10,890 sq. ft.
Construction Cost: $9,524,041
