Our design for Fort Worth’s Northwest Patrol Substation draws inspiration from the city’s frontier heritage and the architectural legacy of the Stockyards.
Fort Worth’s rapid growth in the northwest portion of the city drove the need for a new patrol division to consolidate scattered operations into a single, unified substation. Previously split between a city-owned facility and a deteriorating leased building, the division required more space, improved working conditions, and better integration with the community it serves. The new facility reflects this purpose not only in function but in form, delivering both operational efficiency and public transparency.
The design team explored multiple conceptual schemes early in the process—all focused on redefining the relationship between the police and the public. “The Porch,” which was ultimately selected, expressed the clearest architectural gesture of welcome and approachability. Its stepped massing addresses the site’s dramatic grade change while connecting to the civic traditions of Fort Worth, especially its porch-lined historic districts. Simple parallel stone walls form a processional rhythm down the slope, terminating at the community room and anchoring a large public art piece.
The building is organized around the day-to-day needs of patrol officers, supporting their work with purpose-built spaces, tailored to their operational needs. Wellness also played a central role, with daylight brought into nearly every occupied space—an enormous improvement from the previous windowless facilities. Secure, functional, and flexible, the building also includes decontamination areas and quiet rooms to support officer mental health.
The team collaborated closely with the city’s public art program, administered by Arts Fort Worth. The final sculpture, located prominently near the main public entry, represents an abstracted Longhorn – paying homage to the Fort Worth PD Patch. Made from corten steel and vibrant colored pipes, the piece symbolizes both the strength of the department and the diverse fabric of the community it serves.
The design of the Northwest Patrol Facility aims to deliver excellent architecture while also reflecting the city’s unique heritage. Its planning supports contemporary policing strategies and future adaptability. The design team prioritized solutions that balance civic pride with operational excellence—creating a station that celebrates the people it serves and the officers who serve them.
The design team explored multiple conceptual schemes early in the process—all focused on redefining the relationship between the police and the public. “The Porch,” which was ultimately selected, expressed the clearest architectural gesture of welcome and approachability.
The building’s stepped massing addresses the site’s dramatic grade change while connecting to the civic traditions of Fort Worth, especially its porch-lined historic districts. Simple parallel stone walls form a processional rhythm down the slope, terminating at the community room and anchoring a large public art piece.
The light-filled lobby features durable materials and clear wayfinding, offering a welcoming experience for both staff and visitors while ensuring controlled access between public and secure areas.
The building is organized around the day-to-day needs of patrol officers, supporting their work with purpose-built spaces, tailored to their operational needs. Wellness also played a central role, with daylight brought into nearly every occupied space—an enormous improvement from the previous windowless facilities. Secure, functional, and flexible, the building also includes decontamination areas and quiet rooms to support officer mental health.