8i Architects

Bob Atkinson Operational Capabilities Centre

• Name: Bob Atkinson Operational Capabilities Centre
• Client: Queensland Police Service
• Builder: FKG Group
• Category: Specialty Projects

8i Architects designed and documented the new Bob Atkinson Operational Capabilities Centre (BAOCC) in a design and construct capacity with FKG Group. The original design by GHD Woodhead was refined and detailed as part of the design documentation process. 8i undertook consultation with the QPS Project Team and other specialist consultants to understand the requirements for the facility.

“We really appreciate the work you performed in relation to they project, 8i did an outstanding job in supporting FKG and working with the QPS Project Team to deliver the Centre and achieve this outstanding outcome for the Queensland Police Service.” Commissioner Carroll said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Minister for Police and Minister for Corrective Services, the Honourable Mark Ryan MP, and Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll officially opened the new Bob Atkinson Operational Capabilities Centre.

Commissioner Carroll said the large-scale project had involved multiple inter-agency partnerships to ensure the new centre would provide state-of-the-art facilities to support officers in some of the most significant aspects of their training.

“The QPS project team has worked closely with many partners including Public Safety Business Agency, Department of Housing and Public Works, GHD Woodhead and FK Gardner & Sons (FKG Group) to bring the centre to life.” Commissioner Carroll said.​

“There has been consultation with many user groups and stakeholders in this project including other Australian state and national law enforcement agencies and the Australian Defence Force. The facility has been designed to allow both state and national emergency service and defence agencies to participate in joint exercises, which will support greater partnerships and cooperation between the agencies.”

The Premier said the $52.8 million facility incorporated the latest designs and materials from training centres across the globe to deliver realistic, secure training scenarios. “As we continue to fight the spread of COVID-19, now more than ever, Queenslanders expect the highest level of skills and experience from police in order to keep our communities safe,” the Premier said.

“This new centre includes cutting-edge architecture and technology and includes two indoor firearms ranges as well as a scenario village and other specialist training areas specifically designed to enhance capability in managing terrorism and other critical incidents.”

In order to support officer training in response to the threat of vehicle-borne terrorist attacks, the centre will be co-located with the police driving skills section. The facility has also been designed to provide flexibility into the future through the addition of numerous open training spaces that can be converted for multiple uses.

Minister Ryan said the new centre would provide world-class training facilities for Queensland Police Service officers and recruits throughout the year.

“The Bob Atkinson Operational Capabilities Centre will facilitate training for more than 7,500 in-service officers and members of specialist units and 600 QPS recruits every year,” Minister Ryan said. “Over the next 10 months, there will be a phased uptake of training within the facility. Once at capacity, the centre will house 121 staff members including an officer in charge, three senior sergeants in supporting operational and advisory roles, 105 instructional staff, one civilian facilities manager and 11 administration staff.”

“The opening of this centre is an exciting milestone for officers currently serving in the QPS and many future officers.”

The centre has been named in honour of former Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson AO APM, who served as Commissioner from 2000 until his retirement in 2012. Mr Atkinson joined Queensland Police in 1968. During his 44-year-long career, he worked in various roles including as a detective and police prosecutor. Between 1990 and 1993, Mr Atkinson oversaw crucial reforms of the QPS following the Fitzgerald Inquiry, the Public Sector Management Commissioner Review and Report Recommendations of the Queensland Police Service.

Queensland Police Service Warehouse

• Name: Queensland Police Service Warehouse
• Client: Queensland Police Service
• Builder: FKG Group
• Category: Government

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll officially open the new purpose-designed new Evidence Management Facility in Brisbane.

“This state-of-the-art building is a testament to the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to smart policing,” Minister Mark Ryan said.
“Police need modern amenities so they can respond flexibly to the challenges of the future.
“A world class police service deserves world class facilities, and that’s exactly what we’ve delivered here.”

The new facility contains specialised forensic examination spaces, a vehicle examination garage, climate-controlled storage for cold case evidence, and a significant increase in capacity for general exhibits.

Minister Ryan praised the size of the facility, which houses over 37,000 exhibits, 50 motor vehicles and 600 pallets of interview tapes.
“This facility gives our police the additional tools they need to keep Queenslanders safe,” he said.

“The facility incorporates the latest technology and security features allowing us to adapt to change and giving officers access to the latest forensic methods to aid investigations,” Commissioner Carroll said.

Quoted from Queensland Government Media Statements.

Sigma Pharmaceutical Distribution Centre

• Name: Sigma Pharmaceutical Distribution Centre
• Client: Sigma Healthcare
• Builder: FKG Group
• Category: Healthcare, Specialty Projects

8i Architects was engaged by FKG to complete the design and construction of the Sigma Pharmaceutical Distribution Centre in Berrinba.

The warehouse occupies a greenfield site in an industrial precinct and has a floor area of 15,000m² comprising an air-conditioned warehouse and two 1,000m2 offices.

Designed to accommodate the warehousing of medicinal products, the facility operates to meet World Health Organisation standards and Australian Code of Good Wholesaling Practice for Medicines.

Delivering base building and integration works, the warehouse was completed fit-for-purpose, including automated racking and picking machines, security system including full perimeter electrical fencing, associated external pavements, car parking, and landscaping.

Following completion of the base building works, 8i Architects was engaged to co-ordinate and worked closely with subcontractors who performed the fit-out of the specialised machinery, conveyors and high-level racking.

Teys Processing Facility

• Name: Teys Processing Facility
• Client: Teys Brother
• Builder: Watpac Specialty
• Category: Specialty Projects

8i Architects was engaged by Watpac Specialty Services to design and document an extension to an existing beef processing facility for Teys Australia – one of Australia’s largest meat processors and exporters.

The project included co-ordination of specialist conveyors, carton tunnels and plate freezers within the design.

The building works were carefully co-ordinated so that construction could occur without interrupting processing operations.

Lion Processing Facility

• Name: Lion Processing Facility
• Client: Diary Farmers
• Builder: Cockram Construction
• Category: Specialty Projects

8i Architects were engaged by Cockram Constructions to design and document a purpose built milk distribution centre extension.

This required a new cool room, ambient store, ante-room and truck loading docks to facilitate the expansion of the operations.

Brisbane Immigration Transit Accommodation (BITA)

• Name: Brisbane Immigration Transit Accommodation (BITA)
• Client: Department of Immigration & Border Protection
• Builder: FKG Group
• Category: Specialty Projects