Location:

Bell Buckle, Tennessee

Status: 

Completed 2020

Size:

19,330 SF

Client:

State of Tennessee

Shop Team:

James Kennon
Cary Sweat
Alena Adler
Beasley Chantharath
Spencer McCarty

Project Collaborators:

Civil Engineer:
SEC, Inc.
Landscape Engineer:
SEC, Inc.
Structural Engineer:
EMC Structural Engineers
MPE Engineering:
Edmonds Engineers

The Fire Services & Codes Enforcement Academy Conference Center houses the statewide program for fire service and codes enforcement education and training programs. This building includes a public lobby with display areas, a gift shop, meeting areas, a recording studio, teaching classrooms, and a multipurpose exhibit space. The facility is a focal point for teaching, conference, graduation, and memorial functions, and serves as the anchor point to orient visitors and students to the fire training campus.

Design Highlights:
The various training spaces were designed to meet both specific use and fluctuating requirements. For example, an Emergency Operation Classroom was designed specifically to accommodate training for incident or emergency management conditions. The space and furniture configuration facilitate group learning and encourages team building. This space incorporates large projection screens and serves approximately 70 learners. Three smaller learning spaces are set up in a more traditional classroom configuration with small tables and chairs suitable for adult learning with an average class size of 25. These rooms are equipped to support various methods of information presentation. These rooms allow for flexible furniture configurations to support various types of demonstrations, as well. The large lecture hall at the end of the building is used for large group instruction and events. This space is equipped for large-format audio/visual presentations for ceremonial gatherings such as graduations and memorials. The most flexible space is the large multipurpose exhibit space.