Okinawa Prefectural Police Academy, Firing Range

The police academy is a facility where students can learn the necessary legal studies and police practices, as well as develop their character, physical and mental fitness, and master the art of policing. It is a center for the development of human resources who will protect the lives of prefectural residents, be trusted by them, and contribute to the realization of social justice. Taking advantage of the rich site environment with a view of Mt. Ishikawa, the entrance to Yanbaru, to the north, the design blends in with the natural surroundings by keeping the eaves low and raising the roof over the machine rooms and other necessary parts of the building. The structure is made up of regularly arranged ribbed columns reminiscent of a grove of trees, creating an architectural design that has both a resolute strength and a light, rhythmic feel as a police facility. Photocatalytic fluorine coating, fluorine resin coated steel sheet, and other materials resistant to the wind, rain, and salt damage in Okinawa were used for the exterior finish and roofing materials. The air conditioning system inside the shooting range has been verified by airflow distribution simulations, and airflow is generated at a constant speed inside the range to prevent lead dust from being inhaled by shooters, creating an indoor environment that allows for safe training. In addition, the firing range is kept under negative pressure, and a dedicated flow line to the hand-washing area is provided to minimize the release of lead dust outside the range. Also, the corridor in front of the shooting range is spacious and separated from the shooting range by a height difference to allow more people to view the range, thereby creating an environment where people can learn by watching others train.