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Monroe County Crime Laboratory, Rochester, NY

LEED Platinum Building

  • 2nd LEED Platinum Building in Rochester
  • 1st LEED Platinum Gov’t Owned Building in Rochester
  • 1st LEED Platinum Crime Lab in the US

Located on the edge of downtown Rochester, the design team was given the challenge to create a 45,000 s.f. state-of-the-art Crime Lab with a goal of achieving LEED Platinum. While the function of the lab drove the floor plan layout with its dominant north/south axis, the facade of the lab had to be respectful to the adjacent 1960s County Civic Center Plaza.

Crafted with modular masonry units, the envelope was scored with deep joints to mimic the limestone panels of the Plaza buildings. While the lab is a very private building, a rhythm was developed on the first floor to reflect traditional storefronts that once lined the streets. The upper windows, while respectful of the 1960s architecture, become multifaceted with a step glazing system that helps to defuse some of the western sun.

The building addresses the corner of the property by carving out a negative space of glass and polished block, which invites users to enter the building on the first floor while providing an opportunity for the staff to gaze onto the street from upper floor common spaces. A floating trellis system then re-introduces the floors to help the eye complete the corner.