TriMet Safety and Security Facility

Portland, Oregon

How do we design a transformable workplace that encourages engagement between staff and the community?

TriMet Safety and Security Facility. Lobby area with low soft seating in the foreground and a floating metal staircase in the background leading to a large open break room.

FFA delivered complete design and construction administration services for a build-out / tenant improvement to house TriMet’s safety and security personnel in a new facility in Northeast Portland’s Lloyd District. To support the agency’s goal of creating a central hub for staff to recharge and connect, we created a flexible, warm, and safe work environment. Balancing safety and security concerns, we also created transformable public spaces to support the agency’s mission of engaging the community.


With these goals in mind, we designed a large, flexible Community Room. Featuring a 40-foot movable wall clad in wood slats, the space opens directly to the lobby and is easily accessible. The movable walls can be configured in multiple ways to serve staff during internal meetings and trainings, as well as allowing for a range of community-focused functions. The lobby, main collaboration areas, and the main stairway host technology features as well as wood slats walls and ceilings to dampen sound, all which advocate for easy collaboration between people.


To create an interactive work environment, we configured the space layout to spark connections between officers and administrative staff. The kitchen, lounge, and briefing room are in a central location. The areas accommodate both formal and informal meetings, staff breaks, informal workspaces and when combined, one large, connected event space.

Focusing on employee wellness, we designed the project to maximize opportunities to bring natural light deep into the space. Working with limited exterior windows, the design team moved most of the enclosed spaces deeper in the building and placing low partitioned workstations near the exterior windows.

Year Completed:
2020
Size:
17,000 sf
Project Contact:
Richard Grace, AIA, NOMA
Partner, Market Lead
Conference Room
Break Room
The break room functions as a central hub for staff

Flexible Community Space – Doors Open
View of Flexible Community Space from Lobby – Doors Closed
View of Flexible Community Space from Lobby – Doors Open