Coffey Projects deliver new SAPOL Headquarters

The South Australia Police (SAPOL) have moved into new state-of-the-art headquarters at 100 Angas Street, Adelaide. The new premises was project managed by Coffey Projects and culminated in the relocation of over 1100 staff from different police units and branches together in the one building.

The new $100 million SAPOL headquarters is part of the biggest police-building project in South Australia, and sees the headquarters move for the first time in 20 years, from its Flinders Street location.

According to Coffey Projects Project Director, Courtney Procter, “The project team recognised the opportunity to maximise the long term accommodation outcomes for the South Australia Police within a new building that was tailored to their requirements.”

These requirements included security features inherent in developing police headquarters as well as careful consideration of the environmental impact. As a result, the base building has been designed to achieve 5 Star Green Star Design and As Built ratings and a 5 star NABERS Energy Base Building rating, while the fitout is aiming for a 5 Star Green Star Office Interiors rating and a 4 star NABERS Energy Tenancy rating.

Courtney explained, “Features such as energy efficient lighting and passive chilled beam air conditioning have been selected, in concert with fitout environmentally sustainable design (ESD) initiatives. The number of equipment and appliances has been limited to address energy and water efficiency. As part of this, printers are located centrally, rather than on individual desks hence reducing number and energy consumption. Cleaning will even be done during the day to further minimise energy consumption.

“The positioning of open work stations has been deliberate, with them maximised around the perimeter to access natural light. Blinds have been installed to perimeter glazing to reduce glare and heat, and to further complement the specialised glazing properties.

“Long term flexibility has also been incorporated, with modularity, mobility and flexibility core elements of the design of partitions, joinery and furniture.”

The new accommodation for the South Australia Police Headquarters was delivered as an integrated fitout with base building works. The integration of both functional and performance requirements resulted in some modifications to the base building, both in increasing the level of performance over and above a standard PCA A Grade development, and in tailoring the masterplanning of the building, its access and egress to meet SAPOL requirements.

The integrated fitout reflects the internal change process collaboratively achieved with the developer Commerical & General and SAPOL to:
•create SAPOL headquarters resonant with both the community and the police
•represent and convey through the environment the vision of SAPOL
•emphasise leadership and support as the core functional activities within the headquarters
•maximise flexibility in the use of space and the ability to grow and change
•provide accommodation that meets the targeted requirements for both 5 Star Green Star and NABERS ratings
•meet the security requirements
•construct an environment that meets the cultural needs of the organisation whilst addressing the need to attract and retain staff in the future
•maximise organisational efficiency through use of appropriate technology.

Jamie McClurg, Managing Director of Commercial & General, said, “We have been impressed by the way this project has been managed by Coffey Projects. Communication between our companies and SAPOL has been a strong point, and the result has been an outstanding building, delivered on time, within budget for the long-term ownership of our Commercial & General Office Trust.”

Denis Patriarca, Director, Business Service (224), South Australia Police, commented, “SAPOL's new ten-story headquarters was delivered on time and to budget. I consider this a great outcome that reflects a successful partnership between SAPOL and industry. This project gave SAPOL the rare opportunity to customise a work place that suited suit specific requirements for today's workforce, but with an emphasis on creating a flexible and usable working environment for future policing needs.

"As the building is home to more than 1100 staff, SAPOL wanted to create a space that showcased an environmental sustainability for a large workforce. I believe we've achieved that aim with optimal office accommodation for employees, while the building maximises energy efficiency through innovative air conditioning and lighting, improved waste management and utilises water saving technologies.”