Built
Resilient design is a hallmark of the new 100,000 SF New Hanover County Government Center project in Wilmington, NC. The project, located in a coastal area prone to hurricanes, features office space, a 35,000 SF Emergency Operations Center, and 911 Center for county residents. The landmark project involved a public-private partnership in an opportunity zone; a customer service counter on the ground floor streamline access for the public in a welcoming, modern, and efficient new space.
In the event of an emergency such as a hurricane, the Emergency Operations Center is designed to withstand 165 MPH winds.
The mix of tilt-up concrete and conventional construction provides an exterior that is both durable and economical.
The full build-out of the site will feature mixed-use development with multi-family housing and retail, and will welcome the public with green spaces, public art, and places for the community to gather.
Strategies for hardening the structure included tinted impact-resistant glass and screening to protect mechanical systems from windborne debris during a storm.