San Diego County Sheriff's Department Crime Laboratory
San Diego County Sheriff's Department Crime Laboratory | San Diego, CA
New Forensic Facility is Ground Zero for Crime Fighting Work in San Diego County
An integrated design-build team from DPR and SmithGroup put their collective planning and problem-solving skills to good use to create a new state-of-the-art forensic facility for the County of San Diego. Combining three key policing entities under one roof – the regional crime lab, major crimes division, and property and evidence unit – the 158,000-sq.-ft., four-story San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Crime Lab facility serves as ground zero for crime-fighting efforts in the region.
Because of the delicate materials to be stored underground in the 25-ft. floor-to-floor basement – an inherently damp location – delivering a stable, fully waterproofed environment was a critical challenge. DPR crews were challenged with implementing special waterproofing measures and constructing a permanent dewatering system, work that took place during a record rainy season.
DPR SPW drywall crews also faced challenges from an array of specialized requirements for the onsite ballistics lab, including adding specialty ballistics rubber and a Kevlar bulletproofing layers into the drywall. The lab, which featured a bullet recovery tank, an armory and a library of ammunition, was designed and constructed to have a clear and secure connection to the warehouse.
Ensuring the basement would remain fully waterproof and climate controlled was a critical goal. DPR SPW concrete crews created a one-sided framework that supported the basement walls without penetrating the outer side, pouring concrete through the wall and framework to avoid water seeping into the basement. All concrete work was successfully completed on time and, most importantly, without puncturing the waterproofing membrane.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Crime Lab project serves as a model for how to effectively design and construct a cutting-edge facility that incorporates critical crime-fighting services and units under one roof.
Engineering News Record
California's 2019 'Best Projects' Award
The project was recognized in ENR California’s 2019 Best Projects Awards with an Award of Merit in the “Green Project” category.
Building Design & Construction
2019 Build Team Awards
Building Design & Construction awarded the project a “Silver” award in its 2019 Build Team Awards competition, which celebrates excellence in design and construction solutions as well as the collaboration of the AEC and owner teams.
