01 24th/25th POLICE DISTRICT PHILADELPHIA: THE THIN BLUE LINE This project was commissioned for two of Philadelphia’s Police Districts to be combined into one building. This is the latest one constructed and is a combination of police offices, incarceration and court room facilities. The theme the studio chose was The Thin Blue Line, a phrase known to the police worldwide which describes an unbroken line of police separating society from chaos. The project features many blues lines radiating in all directions suggesting the activities of the police in the city. The other colors of blue combined with yellow are the official colors of the Philadelphia police and red was also included to stand for danger. Some of the blue and yellow strips are rendered in dichroic glass which gives the whole project different color input in varying light conditions. One main central entrance and two side entrances all feature self framed leaded glass panels in the shape of inverted triangles which are mounted on the interior. These not only suggest abstract shields but have the effect of changing the outward appearance of the whole facade. The windows are dynamic in the same way as the work that is going on inside. © James B. Furman