Austin-Smith:Lord’s first commission under the Government’s Buying Solutions Framework, the Strategic Coordination Centre for Dyfed Powys Police, was one of the most rapid projects the Practice has ever delivered. Appointment was at the end of October 2009 and a Planning Application was submitted in mid-December, with construction commencing in April 2010 and completion achieved in September 2011.

The Strategic Coordination Centre provides a modern emergency service and protects the public in civil emergencies or major incidents, in addition to providing an important base for Police and multi-agency training.

Political and economic pressures created tight project timescale but we rose to the challenge; meeting all timescale and budget targets whilst producing a high quality, critically acclaimed building.

From the outset the design team and client worked closely to develop the project brief and agree the concept design. It was important that the building reflected its status in its appearance, being of a suitable quality and aesthetic and incorporating a variety of sustainable features. The design was developed to create clarity and legibility of the overall concept in plan and 3 dimensional forms and is configured in an ‘H’ shape, with the two wings of accommodation slipped relative to one another. The building is set on a North-West/South-East main axis, with the principal elevations facing to open aspects, maximizing views out and daylight penetration in.

I was very satisfied with the level and quality of the Architectural Services provided by Austin-Smith:Lord throughout the whole of the project period

 Perry Simpson – Capital Projects Manager, Dyfed Powys Police