After experiencing explosive growth in recent years, the village of Ruidoso outgrew the building that had housed its fire department since the 1930s. The new fire station updates the department's functionality, replacing crude living quarters and inadequately sized apparatus bay doors, and improving the department's ability to respond to an increased demand on its services. An airlock separation between equipment and personnel helps the living quarters maintain a healthy air quality for the firefighters.

The village selected a challenging site, narrow and long with a steep mountain range to the south, the site predetermined the station to be long and narrow. Taking its cues from the aptly named Longhouse, the structure emphasizes a simplicity of form, accented with large openings at functional nodes and smaller openings at opportune locations to take full advantage of views, allow the influx of north light and define both indoor and outdoor spaces.

The Ruidoso fire station's architecture is abstractly influenced by its setting: local materials, natural surroundings, and cultural/social heritage. The new facility contributes to the village identity, offering a sense of safety, professional commitment, and stability. Like its historical relative, the station has become analogous to the idea of community.

Project Details

• Firm: Rohde May Keller McNamara Architecture, PC
• Design Team: Don H. May, AIA, Architect of Record; Don P. Schlegel, FAIA, QA/QC/CA; Daniel Chavez, LEED, Project Manager; Ramon Sarason, AIA, LEED, Design Support; David Williams, AIA, Design Support; David Edwards, Intern, CA; LRA Inc., Larry Read, PE, Civil Engineering; JJK Group Inc., Jim Kapuranis, PE, Structural Engineering; FEI Inc., Ed Fogleman, Mechanical/Plumbing/FP Engineering; HDI Inc., Tom Hughes, Electrical/Data/Comm. Engineering
• Client: Ruidoso Fire Department
• Location: Ruidoso, New Mexico
• Fire Chief: Tom Gavin

Project Data

• Project Area: 14,500 sq. ft.
• Total Cost: $3.8 million
• Cost per Square Foot: $262
• Completion Date: January 2008

Entry Information

• Competition: 2009 Station Style Design Awards
• Category: Volunteer/Combination Stations
• Category Citation: Notable