Fire Station No. 6 is a two-bay station located in the southeast portion of the city of Carlsbad, along Rancho Santa Fe Road. The uniqueness of the site is its location in the middle of a wildlife preserve, requiring that the station have a small footprint. It is one of the smaller fire stations at 6,182 square feet.

Fire Station No. 6 is designed to accommodate four crew members. A 2-story entrance atrium leads to a large 2-story open work station area for three crew members. A hallway connects a single private office on the first floor along with restrooms and four individual dormitories. Gathering spaces like day room, dining room, kitchen and exercise room are provided on the second floor. Other program spaces include workshop, laundry room, turnout storage, and various other mechanical and electrical rooms and support spaces.

Due to the fire station's hilltop location overlooking residential tracts to the south, it is designed to strike a balance between functional fire station and residential style building. Flat roof portions are designed to blend with the sloping roofs while concealing rooftop mechanical units. A large deck at the west elevation provides a view to the ocean and wildlife preserve area. All west-facing glazing is protected with an extra-long roof overhang or trellis structure to minimize solar gain.

Firm: WLC Architects Inc.

Design Team: Kelley Needham, AIA, Principal in Charge; Simon Chang, Project Manager

Fire Chief: Kevin Crawford

Project Area: 6,182 sq. ft.

Total Cost: $4,000,000

Cost per Square Foot: $405

Completion Date: August 2008