FORRESTFIELD & BALDIVIS, Australia—Western Australia’s newest police stations—delivered simultaneously in Forrestfield and Baldivis—are signaling a shift in how policing environments are conceived, built, and experienced. Designed by Hunt Architects in partnership with the Department of Finance and the WA Police Force, the two facilities demonstrate how a unified architectural blueprint can be sensitively adapted to distinct neighborhoods while advancing a broader evolution in justice‑sector design.
Though located in separate suburbs on Whadjuk Country, the stations were developed as a coordinated pair: nearly identical in planning logic and interior strategy, yet differentiated through external color palettes that reflect the character of their respective communities. This dual-delivery approach not only streamlined construction and quality control but also allowed the design team to refine a contemporary model for policing environments—one that prioritizes operational rigor without losing sight of human experience.
A New Chapter in WA Police Architecture
The stations build on the design language established in the Armadale Courthouse & Police Complex, extending its principles into a replicable framework for future facilities across the state. Each station accommodates up to 100 full-time staff and incorporates the full suite of operational spaces expected of a modern policing hub: custodial suites, evidence processing rooms, alcohol and drug testing facilities, fingerprinting areas, equipment rooms, and secure circulation paths that maintain safety and separation.
But what distinguishes these projects is the equal emphasis placed on staff wellbeing and community connection. Offices, meeting rooms, gym facilities, amenities, and café-style breakout spaces were designed with the same level of care as the high-security operational zones. The result is a workplace that supports the physical and psychological demands of policing while fostering a sense of collegiality.
Calm, Approachable, and Intuitive by Design
Hunt Architects’ design intent centered on creating environments that feel calm, approachable, and understated—qualities not always associated with police architecture. Public-facing areas, including reception zones, are light-filled and visually open, offering a sense of transparency that helps build trust with visitors.
Inside the staff areas, muted blues, greys, and soft timber tones soften the atmosphere of what can be an intense work environment. A variety of respite spaces—including an outdoor courtyard, lounge zones, and a contemporary lunchroom—give officers room to decompress, collaborate, or simply take a moment away from operational pressures.
Across both stations, the interior layout is shaped by principles of visibility, safety, and intuitive movement. Clear arrival points, legible circulation routes, and carefully planned adjacencies ensure that staff can work efficiently while maintaining high levels of situational awareness.
Materiality That Balances Strength and Warmth
Justice-sector buildings must withstand heavy use, but durability alone is no longer enough. The design team approached material selection with a dual mandate: robustness and visual softness. Surfaces and fixtures were chosen for longevity and ease of maintenance, yet the palette avoids the institutional harshness that can alienate both staff and community members.
This balance is particularly evident in the stations’ interior finishes, where resilient materials are paired with warm textures and subtle color shifts. The result is a professional, secure environment that still feels welcoming—a nuanced achievement in a sector where comfort is often sacrificed for durability.
Functionality and Innovation Through Refinement
Rather than relying on dramatic architectural gestures, innovation in these projects emerged through meticulous refinement. Lessons from earlier justice projects informed the planning methodologies, resulting in highly considered operational layouts that support safety, efficiency, and intuitive workflows.
The twin-station delivery model also proved to be a strategic advantage. By designing and constructing the two facilities concurrently, the project team achieved cost efficiencies, consistency in detailing, and streamlined project management—an approach that may influence future public-sector procurement strategies.
Sustainability Embedded from the Start
Environmental performance was integrated early in the design process, ensuring that both stations operate with long-term sustainability in mind. Each facility includes extensive rooftop solar arrays, battery storage systems, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support the WA Police Force’s growing EV fleet. Native, waterwise landscaping reduces maintenance needs while reinforcing climate-appropriate design.
These initiatives contribute to reduced operational costs and a smaller environmental footprint—an increasingly important consideration for public infrastructure.
A Replicable Model for the Future
Now fully operational, the Forrestfield and Baldivis Police Stations stand as a compelling demonstration of what contemporary policing environments can be: hardworking yet refined, secure yet welcoming, efficient yet deeply human-centered. Their shared design language offers a scalable model for future justice projects across Western Australia, proving that operational excellence and architectural warmth are not mutually exclusive but mutually reinforcing.
In two different neighborhoods, a single blueprint has delivered facilities that feel both grounded in place and aligned with a broader vision for the future of justice design.
