New Hanover County Government Center
& Emergency Operations Center
LOCATION Wilmington, NC
COMPLETED 2023
SIZE 135,000 SF
SUSTAINABILITY LEED Platinum
PHOTOGRAPHER Will Page
AWARDS ASID Carolinas | Cape Fear CREW | IIDA Carolinas | Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA)
Resilience by Design
Designed to remain operational during extreme weather events, the facility incorporates a resilient building envelope and hardened infrastructure that meet FM4470 and ANSI/SPRI/FM 4435/ES-1 standards. Hurricane shutters protect all exterior openings, while impact-resistant glazing and framing are engineered to withstand Miami-Dade wind loads. Limited-area, FEMA 361-compliant punch windows with tinted impact glass enhance occupant protection, and reinforced exterior doors feature six-point connections for increased resistance to high-wind conditions.
A combination of tilt-up and conventional construction provides a durable, cost-effective solution built for long-term performance. Additional resilience measures, including protective screening for mechanical systems and impact-resistant glazing, help safeguard the facility from windborne debris during severe weather events. At the heart of the complex, the Emergency Operations Center and 911 Center are housed within a hardened structure supported by redundant mechanical, electrical, and technology systems, providing uninterrupted operations when the community needs them most.
Supporting Services & Future Growth