Police Stations- The Face of the Police- Live Case Studies

THE ENCOUNTER Re-envisaging the Police Station Realm

Undergraduate Design Dissertation Case Studies- Police Stations, India

CASE STUDY 1: NAGPADA POLICE STATION, ZONE III, CENTRAL REGION Connectivity mapping in jurisdictional area:-

Vicinity:-

Visibility and Self- identifiability:-

:-

Slums

ATS +CID + P.S.

Red light area

Figure 53: Distribution of Police station, chowkies in the area and other details pertaining to the region Source: (Mumbai Police website, 2019), Edited by: Author

 

Figure 55: Slum settlements and brothels in jurisdictional area of police station Source: UDRI GIS, Edited by Author

Seated directly adjoining a one way, two lane road, Sophia Zubair



The Byculla Jail lies in proximity to the station.

Road, which opens into the main J.J. Road.



Beside the station is provisions for police quarters. A singular building, with around 60 rooms present of 1BHK typology.

Nagpada junction which offers good connect to the jurisdictional area is in proximity from the station, but cannot be accessed directly



while the CID branch from another part on the same floor.

because of the singular movement followed on the road. It often





The ATS branch functions from the floor above of the station,

reasons to the officers breaking the traffic patterns.



A police hospital is present in the same block of the station

Population



A major part of this area is under slums which are in the

of

Nagpada

under P.S. - Approximately

form of encroachments along the sides of the roads. (Area

5 lakhs persons

of Madanpura). The red light area of Kamathipura too

Area under jurisdiction-

comes under its jurisdiction.

Figure 57, 58 & 59: Journey from road to inside Nagpada Police station Source: Author



Entrance to police station is from the side of the building.



From

road,

it

appears as a relevant heritage building, but

2 sq.km 

the

not directly as a station.

9 Beat Marshalls, 10 beat



It is via the sign board

chowkies (Mumbai Police

and

website, 2019). Important

façade to the station

due to sensitive zones of

that the relevance of

slums and brothels in the area.

Figure 54: Nagpada Junction & Police Station Source: Author

the

entrance

the structure is brought Figure 56: Police station Building with other Departments, Source: Author

out.

Figure 60: Police Station Façade along the side of the building, Source: Author

Being seated along a roadway, which opens up into a major

Vicinity is historic with a disorderly character in the form of

The entrance façade of the police station is hidden from

junction and connects to the other arterial roadways in its

encroachments, low income housing regions, a major red

the road. The facade facing the road, however, speaks well

jurisdictional area, suggests a good connectivity.

light area, hence, complaints and crime recorded very high.

as a civic building, but does not come off as a PS principally.

Planning::8

7

9 6

4

2

1 Figure 61: Nagpada Police Station Plan Source: Author

3

5

Growth over time:BLOCK C

This police station was one of the first to be revamped under the revised module set by Sir Edwardes, to achieve better policing in

Sources indicated the above floor of the structure to have been

Jail block

Mumbai, to bring it at par with the London Metropolitan police back

occupied by the ACP of the

in the 1900’s.

region in the 1960’s. Today, it houses the work office of the ATS.

Completed in 1910, structural alterations and additions were

The

made, where the main criteria was to allow proximity of the police

building

behind

the

station were living quarters used

were added with a floor above, to serve for the housing and work

otherwise today. The building

place of the higher officials which would allow for better administration and supervision over the police works.

BLOCK A

officers from their place of stay. Almost all the police stations, then Staff Quarters Figure 62: Police Station over time, Source: Author

housing the jail & staff quarters are a much more recent add on.

Figure 1: Distribution of Police station, chowkies in the area and other details pertaining to the region Source: (Mumbai Police website, 2019), Edited by: Author

Figure 2: Greenscapes in jurisdictional area of police station Source: UDRI GIS, Edited by Author

1 4

8 6

9

2

5

7

3 Figure 63-71: Nagpada Police Station, Source: Author

Workability::-

for

The evidence room was cluttered with haphazardly

Storage of larger evidences in lock ups owing to

police functions is distributed over 3

visitors. Besides, the condition

kept computers, weapons, clothes, blood stained

the lack of a designated space. It spilled out of the

blocks. Moving from one block to

of toilets for the police officials

samples for post mortems, etc. placed in baskets and

cells, to further occupy the end of the passage too.

another involves moving in the open. This

are in need of attention.

boxes labelled with the year from which they dated.

Connectivity between the various

No

provisions

of

toilet

becomes problematic, especially during monsoons.

A

decent

waiting

area

creating a welcoming setting, which offers good segregation and privacy for the station house.

Figure 72: Police station Planning and Observations, Source: Author

Changing constables

space

are

for

present,

however, very small and insufficient.

COMPLAINANTS

No clean segregation of public

VISITORS + COMMUNITY POLICING

The

CONVICTS & SUSPECTS

ammunitions

room

is

However, the space doesn’t

The

naka

bandi/traffic

Repair work of police cars happens here due to the

private functions— where the passport

simply

verification happens in the midst of a

made by dividing the surveillance

space for more than 4-5 cars at a

present at the entrance veranda

presence

number of intrinsic police functions (in

room into half using cupboards.

time. It is clearly less for the no. of

indicating

Transport Dept. which serves all

cars it would have to serve.

designated place to store them.

the midst of the detection rooms

a

make-shift

provision

provide

enough

manoeuvring

where suspects are held.) This majorly has occurred as the passport division is a recently added department.

No provisions of parking for public.

checkpoint

barricades the

lack

were of

a

of

the

Motor

the Police stations of Zone 3.

The special writer for the senior police inspector is located on the first level of the precinct, in a different building as that of the senior inspector itself.

The semi open corridor on the upper floor of the police station had

2

cupboards

placed

effectively reducing the width of the already narrow passage.

Figure 73: Police station Plan, Source: Author

Basic amenities:1. Waiting

spaces:

A

decent

waiting

area

4. Physical Fitness and Rejuvenation Spaces: A

8. Storage: Insufficient, where the evidence room

provisioned in, both, open and semi open spaces.

gym provided with limited equipment’s only,

and record room are entirely in shortage of space.

Open to sky space, benefits from natural shading

while the space itself bears a redundant look.

Barricades seen cluttered in the compound.

from tree foliage, creating a welcoming setting.

2. Resting spaces: Men’s constable room is an

5. Toilets: No toilet for public. Staff toilets in dire need of attention and inadequate to needs.

insufficiently small room and can be used only for

6. Space to organise events/ meets:

changing and not resting. Women officer &

compound. Cars occupied now.

constable’s room and men’s officers’ room are comparatively better off.

3. Canteen space: Not provisioned.

Only in

9. Artificial ventilation: Only Men and Women PI’s rest room, PRO’s room and SI cabin are air conditioned. All other spaces are cooled by fans.

Vernacular- vents, semi open buffer spaces, a

7. Parking spaces: Only for police vehicles, and

dense tree foliage around, cool the micro climate.

still insufficient. Vehicles are seen spilling out

10. Wireless room conditions: Heat dissipates from 2

and parked on the road along the station.

windows, from the makeshift space created for it.

Likeability:-

Comprehensibility:Public:functions are not placed in a manner to easily be approached, as in the case of the

-

-

Passport Verification Department, which a person needs to be guided to. Cannot be

The shade offered keeps the waiting area cool at all times.

located without assistance.

-

:- in the entrance compound make the journey into the station more welcoming.

The greens

-

The police functions are majorly zoned in an ordered format with respect to the movement

Motor Transport Department is a semi open shed like space. Temporal comfort in the spaces vary from time to time. On hot sultry days, space becomes uncomfortable to work from.

patterns. Except, as in the case for the Special Writer room, which is physically disconnected

-

from the Senior Officers Cabin.

Jails blocks are not located in spaces that invade public circulation. This is good design aspect, which most other police stations in Mumbai today overlook.

-

Good circulation of air occurs due to vernacular design strategies used.

Wayfinding is not straightforward for public functions. Police functions are more cleanly

Compound space offers pleasant ambience, usable open to sky spaces. Station has good

zoned out. However, the already existing framework of the structure, with the functions

segregation of jails from public functions. Only the passport verification facility sits beside the

additionally placed in them, offers slight space constraint.

detention facilities. M.T. Dept. constables work from the semi-open shed space.

Natural Lighting:-

Station :-

house,

Dispatch

room

and

functions in block B receive good amount

-

of both direct and diffused sunlight.

Motor transport department receives good amount of natural lighting at all times of the day.

Small window openings at a height, allow minimum light to enter.

Motor transport Dept.

Figure 73: Cross section through waiting space, Source: Author

-

The semi open passages as waiting

-

Since, the SI’s cabin, Detention room,

-

Evidence room, record room and the

The block where the lockups, evidence

areas enable entry of diffused lighting

Passport

and

passage to access them, have dingy natural

room and store rooms were located, have

into the station. This majorly improves the

surveillance room have no window

lighting. Dense tree foliage outside the

minimal entry of natural light, rendering them

microclimate of the spaces in the station

openings, they do not receive good

evidence room and record room affect the

dingy and dark.

by acting as a filter.

amount of natural lighting.

light entering the room.

verification

room

-

Tadi paar Dept. and the constables room on the floor above have good lighting inflow.

Lockups

CASE STUDY 2: CHEMBUR POLICE STATION, ZONE VI, EAST REGION Connectivity mapping in jurisdictional area:-

Vicinity:-

Visibility and Self- identifiability:-

:-

Figure 1 & 2: Structure has subdued conversation with city fabric around. Doesn’t create a statement Source: Author

Figure 1: Distribution of Police station, chowkies in the area and other details pertaining to the region Source: (Mumbai Police website, 2019), Edited by: Author

Figure 2: Greenscapes in jurisdictional area of police station Source: UDRI GIS, Edited by Author

1. It is located at a setback from the road, with compound walls surrounding it. Being a humble ground structure at the front, the visibility of the structure from the road is minimal.





Seated directly adjoining the Ramakrishna Chemburkar Marg, an



In the compound as the police station, are the Building of

2. The

structure

doesn’t

bear

any

resemblance

or

arterial road, offering connectivity to the junction connecting onto

the Additional Commissioner, Zone VI, and police quarters.

characteristic features to indicate its function as a police

Sion- Trombay Road in the North, and Choitram Marg in the South.

A total of 3 buildings, with 1 RK’s and 1 BHK’s typologies.

station. Except the name plate and the parked police cars

A huge green lung is located in proximity to the police

in the compound, no aspect of the structure speaks of it as

station, the Chimni Garden.

a police station.

The mono-rail line runs above the road, with the VNC and RC Marg Junction station a few minutes away from the station.



Population of Chembur under P.S- Approximately 4 lakhs persons



Area under jurisdiction- 4.5 sq.km



4 Beat Marshalls



6 beat chowkies (Mumbai Police website, 2019)



Figure 4: Chembur Police Station Plan Source: Base Map- Google Maps, edited by Author

Figure 3: Chembur Police station façade Source: Author

Being seated along a major roadway, which further connects to

Vicinity is urbanised with good connectivity by public

Visibility of structure from the road is mediocre. Also, no

the other arterial roadways in its jurisdictional area, suggests a good

transport, well distributed zones for public recreations, with

distinct architectural feature to identify it as a civic building or

connectivity.

vibrant city life in the jurisdictional area.

police station for that matter.

Figure 7 & 8: Wellequipped gym and adjoining refreshing rooms.

Figure 9: Library as a separate entity.

Figure room.

1

5

4

3

2

Growth over time:-

Planning::

From

how

the

structure

is

present today, in 3 distinct parts, 3

it indicates the presence of the station house as one of the first inserts,

followed

by

new

additions of departments with the changing need of the times.

5



This, however, was carried out in an informal way where no design

considerations

been

made.

have Mere

arrangement of functions in a makeshift format.

Figure 13 : Structure over time, Source: Author

Non homogeneous, growth over 4

2

1

time,

haphazard,

executed and

in

a

makeshift

manner.

This in turn affects the natural lighting and ventilation and the effective connectivity between different functions.

Figure 12 : Plan of Chembur Police Station Source: Author

Figure 14: Structure over time, Source: Base Image and editing by Author

10:

PSI

Figure 11: P.S as seen from road Source: Author

Basic amenities:4. Physical Fitness and Rejuvenation Spaces:

8. Waiting spaces: Not a segregated separate zone.

A well-equipped gym provided.

Only 6 chair placed in Station House as place to

8. Storage: Moderately sufficient.

9. Artificial ventilation: Only Men and Women PI’s

5. Toilets: Separate toilet for both public and

wait. Not sufficient at all times, causing station

rest room, SI cabin, gymnasium and library are air

staff. Not strategically positioned.

house to get cluttered, with standing people.

conditioned. The semi-open narrow passages

9. Resting spaces: For male and female officers and

6. Space to organise events/ meets: Huge

formed allows percolation of wind from 3 sides.

women constables too. No designated provision

front compound space available, used for

The southern winds, however, move past the toilet

for men constables.

flag hoisting, meetings, marching etc.

into the building, affecting the hygiene.

7. Parking spaces: Only for police vehicles.

10. Canteen space: Not provisioned.

10. Wireless room conditions: Decent heat dissipation.

Workability:

:- stocked with books on policing, law and A library



administrations, etc. has been introduced a year

SI’s cabin provisioned with attached toilet, no resting space however.

back. This facility is air-conditioned, provisioned within a container box. Officers can sit and read, or even borrow books. 



Crime PI

vehicles and their parking possible in open space.

Apart from parking, this area is used for hoisting of

The various departments of Crime, Law and Order, Administration, etc. have different locations, with no common congregational focus, or hierarchal

flags on relevant days, and official meets with

PRO PI

order followed.

senior inspectors.

L&O PI 

4. Circulations of the convicts and visitors cross visitors. A separate entrance for them is however a positive aspect.

of the Public toilet, which lacks good ventilation due to no external wall to it.

3. A window into the narrow corridor allows heat to



dissipate. A separate wireless room, not in the

These functions housed outside the stations, at the entrance compound, is detached from the station

midst of built functions around, too provisions

as a whole.

good dissipation of heat outside.



Toilets have been provisioned wherever possible, not considering the immediate context. The case

ADMIN. PI

paths, not a favourable atmosphere for the

Enough manoeuvring space for the police

Stench from the men’s washroom entered the



A

well-equipped

gymnasium

with

air-

PSI’s cabin and wireless department, creating an

conditioning to be used by the officials in their

uncomfortable, unhealthy ambience.

spare time.

COMPLAINANTS

VISITORS + COMMUNITY POLICING

CONVICTS & SUSPECTS

Figure 12 : Plan of Chembur Police Station Source: Author

Comprehensibility: 

Natural Lighting:-

Public:Functions are easily penetrable and directly accessible without invading the private of other The haphazard growth, majorly affects police functions. the natural light entering the rooms.

The police functions are, however, not situated in an orderly format, owing to the subsequent placement of functions whenever the need arose. A rather chaotic circulation could be observed of the police personals while working.



Wayfinding is easy & straightforward for public functions, but not direct for the police functions.

Likeability:

The publicly accessible spaces have moderately comforting ambiences.



Attempt to improve the facilities, to promote good policing are seen here in the form of

:-

the gymnasium and library. Other workspaces are mediocre in offering user well-being. 

Break rooms with air conditioned facilities act as major comfort providing provisions, used



No natural light inlet in

The window in

any of these rooms

the Police Sub-

Similarly, the passport department,

Inspectors room

now blocks the entry of light into

partially

the wireless department, Police

into

inspector’s cabin and every other

walls

window along that wall.

men’s toilet.

looks

the

side

of

the

The wireless dept. and taadi paar department have light coming in

by officials post duty hours to rejuvenate.

from only one of the long facades

Public used spaces bear moderately comforting vibes. Few facilities for police are still agreeable.

due to structures on the other side.

Planning and Workability (Second Level):

:-

An extension is made onto the exiting

terrace, by shading with asbestos sheets. It makes provisions for a usable semi-open space and a work station for the API’s.

This space ends up becoming a make shift

lunch

discussion

table, table,

and work station to complete left over 

errands.

The break space is used

optimally

due

to

relaxing

setting for a break space.

a

comfortable

and

environ

kept due to air conditioning.



Dispatch room Written complaints from

the

public

received here



Police Officers break room (men’s), in proximity to toilets and changing rooms provisioned.

Figure 12 : Plan of Chembur Police Station Source: Author

Figure 12 : Plan of Chembur Police Station Source: Author

Good

CASE STUDY 3: BANDRA KURLA COMPLEX POLICE STATION, ZONE V, CENTRAL REGION Connectivity mapping in jurisdictional area:-

Vicinity:-

Visibility and Self- identifiability:-

:-

Slum settlements

Figure 22: Greenscapes and Slum settlements in jurisdictional area of police station Source: UDRI GIS, Edited by Author

Figure 21: Distribution of Police station, chowkies in the area and other details pertaining to the region Source: (Mumbai Police website, 2019), Edited by: Author

 

Seated directly adjoining the arterial BKC road, which further

Apart from the Bharat Nagar slum settlement, and other

connects to other arterial road in the area.

minor squatter settlements, the area is developed in an

The Bharat Nagar road, is a key road, which becomes a vital

organised manner,

means of transit to a number of sensitive areas in that region. 





Figure 23 & 24: Front Façade, and compound wall of BKC Police Station Source: (Mumbai Police website, 2019), Google Maps Images.

still is a hindrance at peak hours.

Area of jurisdiction is comparatively smaller as compared to the other regions.

Has a good connectivity of wide roads. Traffic, however,



Metro Line 3 is an upcoming transit proposal along the BKC 

road. 

Rickshaw

stands

and

auto

stands



bypassing cars having a clear visibility of the structure.

are present at

designated zones. Bus routes too defined.

Located immediately along the BKC main road, with



Low compound wall heights allow visibility to pedestrian

Cycle tracks provisions in the area, one of the first of its kind

by passers, and vice versa for the police personals within

in Mumbai, could be an amenity that could be made the

the compound.

most of by the police.



Has

a

commanding,

and

authoritative

structural

language with an interesting form and façade which speaks well for a policing body.

Being seated along a major roadway, which further connects to

Vicinity is urbanised, well connected by public transport.

The large volume of structure, low compound wall height,

the other arterial roadways in its jurisdictional area, suggests a good

A major slum prevails in the area, which records high crime

directly along the edge of the road makes it easily visible.

connectivity.

rate. Cycle patrolling could be introduced here for starters.

Apart from a little tree foliage, not much hindrance offered.

Planning:

:-

Setback of around 6 meters around all the sides of the station provides enough space for cars to move around and be parked.



Double

heighted

space

at

the

entrance gives the entrance lobby WIRELESS ROOM

space a grand feel (good for a function like policing where the visitors feel in awe of the facility). 

The large volume also doesn’t make the user feel constrained in a closed space, with a huge amount of natural

Figure 26: Side façade of BKC P.S, Source: Google Maps Images

Effective space created for storing barricades in an



organised fashion.

lighting entering, making it welcoming.



The courtyard cut out strategically breaks the huge mass of the police station, bringing in diffused lighting.

The toilets effectively have their vents opening into it.

/ STATION HOUSE



Greens in the courtyard further add to the ambience of the police station, softening the harshness of the functions

Figure 27: :B.K.C. P.S from 1st floor, Source: Google Maps Images

Recessed in the cantilever, the floor to ceiling window,



work atmosphere. 

abundantly provides good lighting from the South-East

A lavish waiting area provisioned, which is a good feature provisioned.



Station house happen immediately in the front of the entrance, in an unbounded space.



SPI cabin provisioned with a resting space, attached to their cabin.



SPI cabin has space for the special writer within his cabin. Some amount of

Figure 25: BKC Police Station Plan, Source: Base Plan: (Rawal, 2018) Inferred and edited by Author



Separate circulation patterns followed for convicts and visitors, that do not cross paths is a good design stratergy.

partial privacy missing for SPI.  

Figure 28: Enquiry space and Courtyard, Source: Google Maps Images



Green in the courtyard further add to the ambience

Top floor of the structure occupied by

of the police station, softening the harshness of the

the DCP of that zone.

functions work atmosphere, becoming backdrop.

Basic amenities:1. Waiting spaces: A designated zone provided, with

5. Toilets: No separate toilet for both public and

8. Storage: Have the advantage of space. Currently

more than adequate space for a number of

staff. Access of public to the toilets involves

are sufficed with the space available for storage.

persons to wait at one time.

crossing through private police functions.

Niches in form even make space for storing the

6. Space to organise events/ meets: No compound

2. Resting spaces: For male and female officers and

space, only setback left from site edge. Within

men and women constables provisioned, SI too.

rest room, SI cabin are air conditioned

7. Parking spaces: Compound has provisions for

4. Physical Fitness and Rejuvenation Spaces: A well-

10. Wireless room conditions: Decent heat dissipation.

parking vehicles, with provisions for parking

equipped gym provided on First level.

public vehicles too.

5.

Natural Lighting:Entrance :- lobby and waiting area, are very well planned. Abundance of natural light enter this space, rendering it lively. 

9. Artificial ventilation: Only Men and Women PI’s

station, however, provisions made.

3. Canteen space: Provisioned.



naka bandi barricades in an orderly manner.

Comprehensibility:-

Growth over time:

:- is a very recently designed police station, and The station



followed in their placements.

hence, no alteration or additions have been made 

since.

:Since pre-planned, functions see an order and hierarchy Only access to toilets require an invasion to the police functions.

Courtyard’s light atrium allows a plethora of light to enter the space further taking dependence off

Thoughtful organisation of functions. Wayfinding is

artificial systems of lighting.

easy and straight forward.

Likeability:

:- is one of the very good example of police The stations station design in Mumbai, where several attempts are seen being made to make the ambience and effective architecture of the station likeable.



Features of huge volumes, courtyards, naturally lit common spaces, greenscapes make the station inviting. It speaks elaborately for the police function.



Provisions of a separate resting space for the SI and other officials on the 1st floor, the gymnasium and canteen serves as good features for the wellbeing of the police.



Figure 29: Natural Lighting in station, Source: Author

Separate entyry for convicts directly into the detention facility is a good intervention.



Except the corridor space along the back end of the station, which does not receive enough natural

Structure bears a striking for, with interesting

light due to functions happening between the

masses and voids created, not a monotone. Within the

courtyard and passage around. 

All other offices and workstation, have good provisions of lighting from the external façade.

Figure 5: Old-New Analysis, BKC Police Station, Source: Author

structure, carious design features make the ambience inviting. Policing requirements well catered to.

CASE STUDY 3: VASAI POLICE STATION, PALGHAR DISTRICT Connectivity mapping in jurisdictional area:-

Vicinity:-

Self- identifiability:-

:-

Figure 33 & 34: Vasai Police station, Exterior space, Source: Author.

Figure 32: Staff Quarters behind Vasai Police station, Source: Author.

Figure 31: Location of Police station In its jurisdictional area, Source: Author, Vasai Police station.



Located in a very detached zone from its jurisdictional area.

The footfall received in this station is very low on an



Visibility of station from the road is good. However, station

Problems are faced often by police men, where huge

everyday basis, due to the dispersed settlement pattern

does not bear any strong identification elements in its

commute hours and disconnect with the main pulse of the

existing, a strong contrast to Mumbai.

structure. The spilling out of police functions to the

What we see here is an abundance of land and

adjoining policing block is a vital tool too for identification.

development spreading horizontally.

The

Living quarters immediately behind, 6 ground structures

appearance, owing to no landscaping done.

district are the result. 





Mumbai bears one advantage over that of Semiurbanised Vasai where it is now divided into smaller areas



open

ground,

almost

redundant

in

use

and

for jurisdiction, making commutes closer.

with gable roofs offer around 60 rooms of a bedroom, hall,



However, issues of severe traffic is not faced in Vasai.

and kitchen typology. Sources said that the quarter were

sports ground for the police men since the station lacks a



Unlike Mumbai, the police station sees lower dependence,

built way before the police station actually came up there.

gymnasium already.

and lower workloads owing to lower population and lower

These quarters are believed to have been present even



crime rate in the district.

before the station.

much more livelier space to the perceptions of victims,



This could be a potential site for an outdoor gymnasium,

It could be made to use as a positive, inviting, and

visitors, changing the aura of the space altogether.

Being seated in a disconnected, dispersed settlement zone in its

Vicinity is semi- urbanised and dispersed. Not benefitted

jurisdictional area, suggests a major disconnect from the happening

with

good

connectivity

by

public

transport.

where the main district population concentration is.

settlements for police men behind the station.

Ground

Visibility of structure from the road is mediocre. Also, no distinct architectural feature to identify it as a civic building or police station for that matter.



This Police station stands as an

Growth over time:-

example of one of the most seen designs modules of police station trending

buildings

that

today.

A



Vasai police station was established back in 1985, when Vasai

are

fell under the Thane district for its administration and policing. Its

typical

only post 2014, that the separate district of Palghar was created

entrance, shaded by a canopy,

which falls under a semi urban area.

followed by a waiting space,



post which a number of rooms

Upper floor added later to make available space for gathering and meeting.

housing the various functions are arranged on either side of a Figure 35: View of Complaint room, facade, Source: Author.

doubly loaded corridor. 

Figure 36: View of Ladies Toilet, Source: Author.

Figure 37: View of Sub Inspectors room, Source: Author.

POLICE STAFF QUARTERS

Figure 38: View of Police Station back facade, Source: Author.



No

designated

station

House. A room shared by complain

registrar

and

Daily Routine Writer.

POLICE

HIGHER

OFFICERS OFFICE



Complaints taken down by the

Figure 40: Vasai Police station Plan, Source: Author.



The entry remains shaded at all times due to the rich tree foliage. (Refer Figure 33)

OPEN GROUND



constables,

carried

forward

police

inspectors

is

then

to to

the be

The waiting area is a decent size and works well along with



worked on, who takes a

the space provisioned outside, in proportion for the amount

seat in a separate cabin.

of footfall the station receives.

The top floor of the station, a terrace added with a makeshift roof, houses a hall for meetings for the officers. ( Refer Figure 38)

Figure 39:Waiting area, Vasai Police station, Source: Author.



Provisions of seating’s are made. The region around used for the parking of bikes of the officials and police cars too.

Basic amenities:1. Waiting spaces: Footfall received by the station is

7. Parking spaces: Compound has plenty of space.

4. Physical Fitness and Rejuvenation Spaces: -

low on a daily basis. The space for seating

5. Toilets: No separate toilet for public and staff.

provided, hence, inside and outside the station

Access of public to the toilets involves crossing

would be sufficient

through private police functions and lock ups.

2. Resting spaces: Not provisioned. However, since

6. Space to organise events/ meets: First floor of

station sees comparatively lesser footfall, need not

the station used as a hall to organise meetings

really felt. Staff quarters immediately behind the

with the higher officials etc. Huge pen ground

station too takes strain off officers.

in front too used for flag hoisting, etc.

Provisions for public and police vehicles parking.

8. Storage:

cupboards



Every room receive a good amount of natural lighting. The



Comprehensibility:

Planning very straight forward, with public accessed



with

2

with

functions

9. Artificial ventilation: Only Men and Women PI’s rest room, SI cabin are air conditioned

Likeability:

either side, leading to dependence on artificial lighting at

building are comparatively low. Hence, planning is

all times.

relatively more upfront. Stations are smaller in their work units and police populace. (lower population and lower crime rates would be relevant reasons.)

Outer entrance space has a comforting ambience, dotted by decent tree foliage. Keeps the space shaded and cool

Compared to police station in Mumbai, number of functions and departments required in a police station

Figure 42 &43: Corridor Space of Vasai Police station, Source: Author.

shelves

cramped

shortage of space.

functions in close proximity to entrance.

However, the central corridor, has no window openings on

Figure 41:Natural lighting analysis, Vasai Police station, Source: Author.

are

10. Wireless room conditions: -

dense foliage along the front façade which faces the south west, helps bring filtered sunlight at all times.

and

rooms

happening simultaneously in one room. In minor

3. Canteen space: Not provisioned.

Natural Lighting:-

Station

at all times. 

Built form not architecturally in its language.



Separate public toilets not provisioned. Access to these toilets require people to pass jail cells.



Spaces within the station serve the required purposes of policing.

Straight forward, planning. Stations have lesser number of

Greenscapes elevate the outer ambience of the station.

functions operating from them as compared to Mumbai,

Public and convict circulation in the station follow the same

hence easier to achieve this comprehensibility.

path. Built form not strongly speaking of its function.

CASE STUDY 5: COIMBATORE, C-2 RACE COURSE POLICE STATION, TAMIL NADU Connectivity mapping in jurisdictional area::-

Vicinity:-

Visibility and Self- identifiability:-

Figure 2: Jurisdictional area of police station Source: UDRI GIS, Edited by Author

Figure 12 : Coimbatore police station façade facing the junction.

Source: Author Figure 1: Distribution of Police station, chowkies in the area and other details pertaining to the region Source: Coimbatore Police, Edited by: Author

It stands as

Figure 2: Jurisdictional area of police station Source: UDRI GIS, Edited by Author

the backdrop of

the

junction,  

Located in the posh locality of Coimbatore, in proximity to

offering

connectivity to 4 other important roads.

Race course. The region it caters to has a more mixed

good visibility

Jurisdictional area is comparatively vaster as compared to Mumbai,

character.

to all passing

Opens directly into an arterial road junction, which offers

with one major road connecting station to a more distant locality.





Population of Coimbatore under P.S- -

effective population density is low. (Coimbatore- 601



Area under jurisdiction- 6.09 km² (Google Maps Area)

persons per square kilometre) (Population, 2019)( Mumbai-



2 beat chowkies

28,185 persons per square kilometre) (World Population Review, 2019)



by cars.

Coimbatore’s sees a low rise development pattern. Where



Coimbatore, in general, is a more communally sensitive area, where police have always had to remain on their toes to enable the presence of harmony at all times. A number of community connect drives have been organised by the police to connect with the city better.

a

Source: Author



Compound walls don’t act as visual barriers for pedestrian onlookers.



In terms of identification, it is very easily visible from the road. The brick red colour that the building bears, has a vernacular relevance to the region, and is found on several of the historic and civic buildings of the city. Hence, the police station in this colour helps associate it with a police building easily.

Being seated along a major roadway, which further connects to

Vicinity is urbanised with good connectivity by public

Visibility of structure from the road very good. Also bears

the other arterial roadways in its jurisdictional area, suggests a good

transport. City fabric is more dispersed and population per

distinct architectural features to identify it as a civic building /

connectivity.

square kilometres is low. A communally sensitive area.

police station for that matter.

1

3

2

1 Figure 12 : Coimbatore Police Station compound, Source: Author

2

Figure 12 : Child Friendly area in Race Course Police Station Source: Author

Figure 12 : Waiting area area in Race Course Police Station Source: Author

Figure 12 : Women feeding area in Race Course Police Station Source: Author

Planning and Workability (Ground level):



:The compound of the Police station, is

The waiting area receives plenty of natural light

done in pavers, giving it a levelled finish and a fresh look.

For women, a feeding space provision has

An area is zoned as a child-friendly area,

and ventilation, with more than sufficient amount

been provided. Keeping in mind, that the

designed for kids. A colourful wall art, alongside

of seats for seating in the waiting area provided.

facility may not be in used most of the times,

kid’s furniture is placed in addition.

A feel of the greens is maintained at the

 A book shelf made, gets called the library by the

entrance, where attempts to make the

station, is introduced to make visitors more at

station more inviting are clearly visible in the

ease than otherwise.

form of the mural painted on the wall too.



the station has still taken up for this cause of comfort for all individuals at the station.



BREAK SPACE CRIME DEPT.

LAW AND ORDER DEPT.  PUBLIC FUNCTIONS 3





The 2nd Floor Houses the crime department with

2

the

PI’s

office

(Crimes)

and

his

subordinates, While the 1st floor serves the law and order department. 

Parking provisions made for public.

Figure 12 : Coimbatore Police Station compound, Source: Author



1 4

Enough manoeuvring space for cars provided, with separate provisions of 4

parking for both police cars and visitors.

Figure 12 : Coimbatore Police Station, Source: Author

Figure 12 : Reception and waiting area, Source: Coimbatore Police

Basic amenities:7. Waiting spaces: A designated space. Very well

4. Physical Fitness and Rejuvenation Spaces:

ventilated and lit, with provisions made for a

The terrace makes provision for a usable

police vehicles.

number of visitors. Misc. facilities for visitors well-

break space where a few work out

8. Storage: Sufficient.

being, provided along with it.

equipment’s render it as a workout space.

9. Artificial

7. Parking spaces: Provisions for both public and

ventilation:

Only

SI’s

cabin

is

air

8. Resting spaces: The covered terrace space gives

5. Toilets: No separate toilets for public and

the entire space for the police personals to use as

staff. A personal resting space and toilet

however,

a break space. The space is, however, unkempt.

provided for SI.

circulation of air occurring owing to plenty of

A room adjoining with a huge tables gets used as

6. Space to organise events/ meets: Has a

the break room.

lavish entrance compound, for flag hoisting

9. Canteen space: Not provisioned.

conditioned. The spaces is the station are well

ventilated

with

a

generous

windows. The structure is very well naturally lit too.

10. Wireless room conditions: -

ceremonies. Last floor used for meetings.

Planning and Workability (First Level)::-



The jail blocks are under CCTV coverage possibilities

to of

remove assaulting

convicts illegally.

8. 

Good provisions of light entry in this detention space of the station too.

Figure 12 : Senior Inspectors Cabin, Source: Author

Figure Figure 12 12 :: 1st Jailfloor cellswaiting area Source: Author Source: Author

Figure 12 : Complaint room/ Station House Source: Author



Resting space provisions made for the SI, as a separate room.

Figure 12 : Old police station building Source: Coimbatore police force

Growth over time:The oldest police station of Coimbatore- 150 cinity:-

years old, located at a major road junction of the city.

It underwent redesigning in 2018, where the building was revamped for enabling better policing. A void that existed in the earlier station, was taken in as a part of the station along with the terrace to meet new space requirements.

A historic police station, recently redone to Figure 12 : Waiting area 1st floor, Source: Author

upgrade its facilities for better infrastructure.

Comprehensibility:

Natural Lighting:-

Public:Functions are easily penetrable and directly accessible without invading the private of other police functions. The public areas are not shrouded by an aura of stern policing.



natural light.

The police functions are situated in an orderly format, owing to a pre-planned tending to requirements. Another point of difference, in comparison to Mumbai police would be the fairly smaller force and departmental requirements.



enter. Greens outside further add to the effective space experience.

Likeability:The publicly accessible spaces have a comfortable ambience, and unlike other police :stations seen in Mumbai, the atmosphere here does not feel tensed. 

Staircase block has a big window, allowing a plethora of light to

Wayfinding is easy & straightforward for public functions and police functions.



All the work stations get plenty of



Station cell Block has good lighting provisions.

This primarily is owing to the zoning of the police station, where all policing departmental works happen on the floors above the ground floor. This effectively leaves the ground floor with a more relaxed ambience, and feeling less like a police work station.





The entire station has an optimum width, allowing all the workspaces inside having a good working natural

Overall planning of police station is organised. Good lighting and work atmosphere for

light. All the work functions are zoned along the edge. Waiting space receives good lighting from the

officers. Pantry facility also provided.

staircase block opening.

Excellent segregation of Public and Private Functions. Police used spaces have good working environments. Facilities of resting for officials not elaborately provided.

Figure 12 : Coimbatore police station façade, Source: Author

Figure 12 : Covered Terrace space used for organising events, Source: Author

Figure 12 : Covered Terrace space used for organising events, Source: Author



The terrace has been covered

to

make

a

usable floor, as a storage space and as a break space

for

personals.

Figure 12 : Terrace space, gym provisioned, Source: Author

the

police

Figure 12 & : Staircase block window opening Source: Author