Architects Design Group is currently working on the Monroe County, Florida, Emergency Operations Center, designed to withstand the dynamic forces of a 10,000 year storm, a category entitled “Near Absolute.” All elements of the Emergency Operations Center exterior envelope are designed to be capable of withstanding wind forces in excess of 225 miles an hour, as well as being able to survive an ocean surge of eighteen feet. It is, to our knowledge, the first such facility in the world capable of continued operations when subjected to unique storm events of this magnitude.

The project is funded by FEMA, the State of Florida, and Monroe County and is scheduled to commence construction in early 2010. It will be located on the island of Marathon, midway between Key West and the mainland of Florida and will provide emergency response services for all of Monroe County.