DISTRICT D-4 POLICE STATION . Boston MA

Architect

The Area D-4 Boston Police station was designed by Blackstone Blocks Architects (formerly MGIA) and built by Peabody Construction Company (now defunct). This free-standing police station was designed to harmonize with the surrounding South End, Roxbury and Back Bay neighborhoods it serves, and to reflect a new attitude about community engagement within policing. As the architects, we ran an extensive programing process, working with police and community residents, from which emerged three innovations that became part of the design: a Community Room for use by the public located in the front corner of the building with views of the surrounding cityscape through large windows that allow transparency into the station; a basketball court surrounded by a trees and seating was created for public use, including informal pick-up games with officers and community residents; and the sallyport was configured as a drive-through, (the first in the nation) to provide privacy to individuals during booking process as well as protection from inclement weather. The red brick exterior was designed to convey civic importance, openness and beauty.