-
Cherry Lane Fire Station (Hillsboro, Ore.)
Architect: Group Mackenzie - website
Hillsboro Fire Station No. 6, the Cherry Lane Station, sits on the 2.07-acre front portion of a 6.29-acre site. The facility serves as both a satellite station and department training headquarters; the site master plan includes a future training facility. The station design specifically complements the variety of surrounding land uses, including residential, industrial, and preserved wetlands. Developed concurrently with an additional station, each building utilizes similar forms, materials, and detailing maximizing design efficiencies.
This sleek, contemporary 16,727-square-foot station features three apparatus bays and a training room with separate office and administrative spaces, as well as discrete career and volunteer facilities. The building is composed of black ground-face CMU block and vivid red-glazed CMU, creating a particularly durable exterior with reduced maintenance demands. Highly reflective white curved metal roofing is both aesthetic and functional. The project, which is LEED registered and targeting the Gold certification level, features a 21-kW photovoltaic array mounted on the roof. Integrated components for rope rescue and confined-space training highlight the apparatus bay. The building stands as an example of how form, function and sustainability can successfully interact.
More info on the station website -
Bristol Fire & Rescue Department Rescue Station/Administration Headquarters (Bristol, R.I.)
Architect: Brewster Thornton Group Architects - website
The Bristol Fire Department Rescue Station/Administration Headquarters houses one of the oldest continuous volunteer fire departments in Rhode Island, founded in 1822. Designed to be a strong civic presence and a highly functional station, the building uses materials and massing to recall Bristol's historic fabric while providing mechanical and communication systems that will satisfy the department's needs into the future.
The 22,100-square-foot complex houses fire, rescue and the department's administrative headquarters and included the renovation of an existing 5,600-square-foot fire station, the Hydraulion Engine and Hose Company No. 1.
Portions of the facility accommodate a town EOC, department-wide training facilities, public meeting spaces, and space to be used as a fully accessible voter polling station. It was a great challenge to integrate these functions while maintaining the individual identities of each volunteer division.
One of the first LEED-certified stations in New England, the building utilizes highly reflective/low heat-emissive roofing, high R insulation, high-efficient mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and daylighting for energy conservation. An underground cistern collects rainwater to be used for vehicle washing. Masonry and exposed concrete were used, as they are both local, partly recycled and will last well beyond the lifespan of other building materials. -
Coos Bay Fire Station (Coos Bay, Ore.)
Architect: HGE, Inc.- website
The Coos Bay Fire Station will be the first project in Southwestern Oregon to receive LEED certification at any level, in this case gold. A large underground tank for truck testing detains and harvests stormwater and roof runoff and is the water source for lawn irrigation. Additional LEED features include an electric vehicle charging station, reclaimed wood flooring from the church building removed from the site, variable refrigerant volume (VRV) with heat-recovery HVAC system, a solar thermal system, and a roof-mounted photovoltaic array.
In addition to the daylit apparatus room flanked by support spaces, the main level also features a reception area displaying the historical steamer truck, administration offices, and a community training room fully equipped with projectors, televisions for education/news feeds, and a smart board for training.
The upper floor residence features typical dorm rooms, single-user bathrooms, a fitness room, a large kitchen/dining area, and day rooms. The end of each day-lit hall also features fire poles reclaimed from the old station.
The massing of the building reflects the functions within, while the materials and detailing add to its character and sustainability. The brick tower provides a place for louvers, antennae, clocks, historical reference, and prominent visual recognition in this small, coastal community. -
Dallas Fire Station No. 42 (Dallas)
Architect: PSA Dewberry - website
Built in 1957, the original, 5,300-square-foot Dallas Fire Station No. 42 assisted the on-site fire station with aircraft emergencies at Dallas Love Field Airport. Over the next 50 years, the facility became inadequate and a new station was essential.
Located on the southeast edge of the airport, this state-of-the-art, 12,067-square-foot station, erected on the original site, picks up its design cues from the neighboring industrial district. The LEED Gold-certified, brick-and block-building features low-flow water fixtures, solar hot-water system, tubular day-lighting devices, and large roof overhangs to reduce solar gain. The design team's goal of reducing energy consumption through high-performance building design was achieved through techniques including increasing building insulation and glazing performance above standard levels.
Designed to house 15 firefighters, the facility includes space for two full-depth and two half-sized apparatus bays, watch room, day room, full commercial-style kitchen, dining, fitness room, three four-man dormitories, four unisex restrooms, living quarters, and office areas for the shift captain and lieutenant, and a separate living and office area for a battalion chief; a marked difference from the previous building which contained only a handful of rooms.
Today the station continues its original mission in a beautiful, energy-efficient facility. -
Fremont Fire Station No. 11 (Fremont, Calif.)
Architect: WLC Architects Inc.
The new LEED Silver-certified Fire Station No. 11 located within large box commercial and retail complexes serves the southern portion of the city's coverage area. The 1.47-acre site adjacent to an interstate highway is in the flood elevation per FEMA which required extensive grading and importing of material to elevate the building.
The 2-story fire station consists of a three-bay apparatus room, lobby, staff work areas, and dormitories.
Construction materials include concrete block masonry, wood framed walls, structural-steel-braced frames and columns, and concrete floor slab on grade. Exterior finishes include split-faced and smooth precision concrete block, pre-finished metal siding, two-color exterior stucco finish, standing-seam roofing, metal canopy, tinted double-glazed windows, and steel doors.
Interior sustainable features include stained concrete floor, solar hot-water system, tubular lights, multi-zone air distribution systems, occupancy and daylight sensors, and recycled materials. -
Green Valley Fire District Station No. 151 (Green Valley, Ariz.)
Architect: WSM Architects - website
Green Valley Fire District's Station No. 151, a 12,500-square-foot station sited on 5.35 acres, is awaiting LEED Silver certification. It contains four apparatus bays, 12 dorm rooms, offices, 45 turnout gear lockers, a day room, and a kitchen/dining area. The station also provides dedicated space for fitness equipment and an office suite for the battalion commander.
Defining sustainable attributes at Fire Station No. 151 are: optimized building energy performance, efficient use of water, daylighting, recycled materials, and locally sourced materials. The walls are constructed with aerated concrete block, a lightweight masonry, which provides thermal mass and high thermal resistance. Large windows with low-e glass and thermally efficient skylights flood the building with natural light without letting in heat. Clerestory windows provide ample daylight in the apparatus bays, which require constant light for firefighter safety as they respond to emergencies. Because this project is naturally lit in over 75% of regularly occupied spaces, arrays of daylight sensors were specified to save electricity during the day. Extra-large concrete front and rear apparatus bay aprons were included for firefighter safety, apparatus maintenance and training and the entire complex is enclosed with security walls and fences with an electrically operated gate. -
Mesa Fire Station No. 218 (Mesa, Ariz.)
Architect: Perlman Architects of Arizona - website
Mesa Fire Station No. 218 is a three-bay station with facilities for eight full-time fire fighters. The station contains a fitness room for fire personnel, support areas for fire apparatus and a community room for the surrounding public to use. LEED concepts and principals were incorporated into this new building to decrease the department's operational costs. The new design is the department's citywide prototype for future stations. Along with meeting the department's mission of serving the community, the design embraced and blended with its surroundings, symbolizing the departments commitment to the community.
Mesa Fire Station 218's adjacent neighborhoods are over 40 years old, and primarily consist of 1-story, ranch-style architecture. It was important to make sure this building fit within its surroundings. A combination of proper massing, color and materials were needed.
Having the community involved from the beginning has made this project very rewarding for all involved. The fire department was compelled to be good neighbors, to bring the public into the design process from the very beginning. It's a fitting tribute to the fire department's commitment to the community. -
Seattle Fire Station No. 17 Renovation & Addition (Seattle)
Architect: Bassetti Architects - website
Fire Station No. 17's design hinges on merging the rehabilitation of the historic building with a new addition along a perpendicular street. The addition is designed as a highly efficient "machine" that allows firefighters and equipment to move quickly through the building and onto the street. New gender-neutral quarters encourage gathering in common spaces to reinforce crew cohesiveness.
The additions architecture is a modern interpretation of the functional, geometric and simply ornamented historic building. To maintain the prominence of the historic building despite the almost equal volumes of the old and new structures, the equipment bays of the addition align with the historic building in height and materials. The joint between the new and old is recessed with a contrasting metal siding. Street landscaping and fencing sets a rhythm and continuity from the historic entrance on 50th Street to the drill court entrance on 11th Avenue.
Advancing toward LEED Silver certification, with the possibility of attaining a Gold level, the project includes seven LEED credits for reducing energy use, stringent commissioning, air quality testing, and recovery of drill water for landscape irrigation. Solar hot water heating, effective even on cloudy Seattle days, will allow continuous operation during a disaster. -
City of Tucson Fire Central (Tucson, Ariz.)
Architect: WSM Architects - website
Fire Central is Tucson's new LEED Gold-certified Fire Headquarters and Fire Station No. 1. Developed to combine various departments within the fire service into one downtown location, it houses 84 administrative staff and 17 firefighters per shift.
The building is 136,000 square feet total with 61,000-square-foot administration area, 10,500-square-foot fire station and underground parking for 123 stalls.
Adjacent to downtown and the historic neighborhood Barrio Viejo, the project was designed with the help of neighbors. With the parking below grade, the south portion of the site was developed as a park to be used by the community. The site includes the first length of a bike/pedestrian path linking downtown to the rest of the city.
At the entry, the Firefighter Memorial Plaza and bell tower, with original bell from 1881, lead into the main lobby and firefighter museum. Restored apparatus, firefighting equipment, and memorabilia are displayed in the museum and throughout the building.The drive-through fire station has living quarters above with fire-pole access to the apparatus floor. The ground level includes the watch room, service functions, battalion chief and emergency captain's offices and sleeping rooms.
The project has twice won awards for collaborative design between the department and the community. -
Union City Fire Station No. 3 (Union City, Calif.)
Architect: Glass Architects - website
The Union City Fire Station No. 3 includes three apparatus bays, six double-occupancy dorm rooms, three unisex bathrooms, a dorm room and bathroom for the battalion commander, kitchen with separate refrigerators and pantries, generous food-prep space, dining area, fitness room, day room, patio, turnout room, shop, and SCBA equipment room. Separate public and secure parking areas are provided.
The exterior consists of low-maintenance brick-and-stone veneer with gable roof forms that reflect the surrounding neighborhood context and mark the main entry while giving the building a strong civic presence.
The double-deep, drive-through apparatus bays allow efficient circulation and staging areas within the site. The front apparatus bay doors are fully glazed allowing views of the fire trucks and an abundance of natural light.
Circulation space is minimal with direct access to support spaces from the apparatus bays; dorms are organized in pairs grouped with a unisex restroom and locker area. Skylights provide natural light throughout the circulation areas. The kitchen, dining, and day room flow together for optimal interaction. A patio creates an outdoor extension of the dining and day room and is screened from the street.
The building was awarded LEED Gold certification, includes a photovoltaic system, and exceeds the LEED energy model by 35%.
Browse our photo gallery and see successful LEED fire station projects around the country.
