DESIGNWORKS 2023

SLED Forensics Laboratory

Columbia, SC

LS3P

The new SLED Forensics Laboratory will serve the communities throughout South Carolina with state-of-the-art forensic science investigation and analysis. The interior design concept for SLED stems from the molecular structures and the patterns of DNA.

The new South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) building is a state-of-the-art Forensics Services Laboratory. The three-story, 120,000 square foot building contains robust building systems and impressively personifies progressive civic architecture and interior design. The new lab building is comprised of 12 separated forensic sciences including Firearms (with an indoor firing range & ballistics testing), DNA Casework, Latent Prints, Computer Crimes, Drug Analysis, Toxicology, and additional specialties that support SLED agents and law enforcement entities across the state of South Carolina.

In addition to the Lab areas, the facility also includes Administration spaces, Conference Rooms, a Mock Crime Scene room, Training Facilities, an indoor/outdoor breakroom and dedicated office/workstation space for each Forensics Division. The overall planning, building footprint, and interior viewing windows allow natural daylight to permeate deep into the building on each level. Almost every room within the building has access to natural light, which is a tremendous benefit to the mental health and wellbeing of all employees. The planning and design effort not only expands functional lab capacities and creates a high-quality workplace environment, but it also contributes to better and safer communities throughout South Carolina.

With careful consideration to the client’s essential directives for the interior design of the project, the team made it their mission to create a space that resonates with the essence of resilience, positivity, and functionality. At the forefront of every decision-making process, the cornerstones of durability, maintainability, creating an uplifting environment, and staff attraction / retention have been meticulously woven into the fabric of our design philosophy.

The terrazzo flooring meets you at the door as soon as you enter the building. The custom SLED logo was created as a central focal point and was a “must have” from the client. The terrazzo flooring then gracefully extends through corridors on all three floors and is a testament the fusion of timeless allure and unwavering durability that the client sought. Deconstructed hexagons create pathways down a long narrow corridor creating a sense of flow throughout the space. The deconstructed pattern then converges at pivotal crossroads and collaboration spaces drawing focus to key spaces throughout the building. The hexagons then move into the lab spaces and are custom cut into heat welded sheet vinyl. The overarching goal was to create an uplifting environment in lieu of a sterile space throughout the labs. Recognizing the need for a harmonious coexistence of comfort and robustness, we selected carpeting for offices, conference rooms and open office work areas that exudes a residential charm while possessing the endurance demanded by commercial spaces; a subtle juxtaposition that speaks to the heart of the design ethos.

One of the prime examples of putting durability at the forefront of design is the Mock Crime Scene Room. During design programming, the interior designer talked through the process of how the mock crime scene room is set up. The client mentioned they put tape on the flooring to illustrate the “body outline” used to teach their crime scene investigators. The client noted that tape would be left on the floor for months at a time and oftentimes the body outline location wouldn’t change no matter what crime scene they were studying at the time. Immediately, the designer suggested that it be incorporated as a permanent element into the heat welded sheet vinyl flooring, knowing that tape residue would create a maintenance nightmare. To this day, it is one of the most talked about rooms in the entire building and an instant conversation starter.

Due to the severity and gravity of daily case load, the approach was rooted in the realization that the interior environment plays a pivotal role in the well-being of staff. Our design choices stand as a testament to this commitment, fostering a space that not only endures the rigors of scientific pursuit, but also serves as a sanctuary for mental health and personal revitalization. The synthesis of functionality and warmth illustrates our dedication to nurturing the holistic well-being of each and every employee.

In essence, the design isn’t merely a composition of finishes; it’s an orchestration of purpose. The design exudes a place where client aspirations and design ingenuity intertwine, crafting an environment that’s not only visually captivating but emotionally enriching, and where every detail speaks volumes about our commitment to lasting impact and meaningful design.

The visionary concept behind the new SLED Forensics Laboratory is a dynamic homage to the intricate pattern of molecular structures. Drawing inspiration from the very essence of life’s building blocks, the design narrative comes alive by delving into the depths of DNA and scientific molecular structures. While researching intricacies of molecular patterns, the interior design team unearthed a striking commonality – the hexagon. The concept breathes life into the lab through an array of hexagonal elements that transcends mere aesthetics. Hexagons grace the open office carpet, wrap upholstery, and even manifest themselves through a deconstructed pattern in the terrazzo flooring. As you move throughout the building, you will see how the terrazzo pathways converge with purpose at pivotal crossroads and collaboration spaces.