The first northern tier project for Homeland Security, the United States Border Station in Portal, North Dakota must fulfill a multitude of requirements most designers never have to contend with.
Building a secure facility that also acts as the welcoming entry into our country is only half the story. The brutal environment also posed many challenges.
To contend with 210 below freezing days a year, Place used several sustainable principles to make the building comfortable and economical to operate. An innovative, passive Solar Street provides 30% of the buildings heating requirements and large areas of glass provide light, passive energy productivity, and a welcoming sense to this Portal into America.