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The World’s 12 Most Beautifully Designed Fire Stations

By Elizabeth Stamp

What must an architect consider in a fire station design? They must be carefully designed with functionality and hyperefficiency in mind—after all, seconds count in an emergency. But while these may be the most important considerations, there’s no reason a fire station design can’t also be beautiful. Top architects, including Zaha Hadid and Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang, have applied their talents to fire stations around the world, creating buildings that contribute to the well-being of the firefighters and enrich the communities they serve. From a fire station design carved into the side of a mountain, to an icon of American postmodern architecture, find 12 of the world’s most beautiful fire stations here.

Parque de Bombas (Ponce, Puerto Rico)

Parque de Bombas is a landmark of the Puerto Rican town of Ponce. The black-and-red fire station is set in Plaza de las Delicias, the town square, and was originally built in 1882 as an exhibition pavilion. In 1885, the building—which features Moorish and Gothic Victorian design influences—officially became Ponce’s fire station and served the community until it closed in 1990. Parque de Bombas was added to the National Historic Places Register in 1984, and it is now a museum.

Vitra Fire Station (Weil am Rhein, Germany)

Zaha Hadid designed a remarkable fire station for the Vitra factory complex in Weil am Rhein, Germany. The structure, which was completed in 1993, was one of the late architect’s first projects to be built. Irregularly shaped planes intersect to form the long, narrow fire station, which defines the surrounding landscape of fields and vineyards. The building was constructed using exposed, reinforced in-situ concrete, adding to the visual simplicity of the design.

Rescue Company 2 (Brooklyn, New York)

Designed by Studio Gang and completed in 2019, Rescue Company 2 is an FDNY training facility in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn. Red terra-cotta tiles line the façade, which opens into a large interior void designed to allow the rescue workers to practice emergency scenarios. The building also has communal spaces, such as a kitchen, an exercise room, and a backyard, and it is outfitted with a green roof, solar energy heated water system, and geothermal HVAC system.

Myeonmok Fire Station (Seoul, South Korea)

Yong Ju Lee Architecture designed a new fire station for the Myeonmok area of Jungnang-gu in Seoul, South Korea. The exterior features a gradient of louvers, symbolizing the speed of the fire trucks. Inside, the spaces were designed for easy circulation, so firefighters can mobilize quickly during an emergency. The building includes offices, bedrooms, a dining room and kitchen, a fitness room, a lounge, and a roof garden.

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By Erika Owen

Ave Fénix Fire Station (Ciudad Juarez, Mexico)

Architecture firms BGP Arquitectura and at103 collaborated on the Ave Fénix fire station in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. The building needed to serve as a fire station and a training center for other departments and the public, so the team devised a layout that would keep these functions independent. The façade is clad in aluminum and glass, and at night, the glass portions are illuminated with random light play. Inside, a vivid red staircase connects the levels, along with traditional fire poles.

Magreid Fire Station (Margreid, Italy)

While it may look like the entrance to a supervillain’s lair, this sleek mountainside structure is a fire station serving the community of Margreid an der Weinstraße in South Tyrol, Italy. Bergmeisterwolf Architekten excavated three interlinked caverns and installed a black concrete façade following the contour of the mountain. The striking exterior, which was designed to resemble burnt wood, also protects the station from falling rocks. Black steel surrounds the entrances to the two garages, and a cantilevered glass cube caps the office and administration area.

Fire Station Apeldoorn (Netherlands)

Jeanne Dekkers Architectuur added a new fire station to the existing police station in Apeldoorn. The firm took full advantage of the long narrow site, placing the residential area—including the lounge, bedrooms, and canteen—at the head of the structure, and the workshop, storage room, and cleanup space at the tail. The middle of the building houses the vehicles and a turnout lane. A striking undulating roof with skylights tops the structure.

Estación de Bomberos BOCA (Boca del Río, Mexico)

Completed in 2017, Estación de Bomberos BOCA was designed by architecture firm Taller DIEZ05 for the city of Boca del Río, Veracruz. The firm kept the ground level open for service vehicles and placed the work, rest, and waiting areas on the second level, with an open patio that serves as a lobby and provides light and ventilation. The surrounding site was covered with a sloped landscape, making the structure feel suspended amid the city.

Fire Station Houten (Netherlands)

Architecture firm Samyn and Partners devised a parabolic fire station for the municipality of Houten. The soaring structure is split in two, with the transparent south side housing six fire trucks. The northern side contains storage spaces, a conference room, a cafeteria, and changing rooms. The interior wall between the sides is lined with 2,200 panels showcasing the firefighter-themed artwork of local school children.

Hook and Ladder Company 8 (New York City)

Hook and Ladder 8 in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York may be the most recognizable firehouse in the world, thanks to its starring role in the Ghostbusters franchise. The Beaux Arts station was designed by superintendant of buildings Alexander H. Steven and built in 1903 by the Metropolitan Fire Department. The building was originally twice as large, but it was halved when Varick Street was expanded in 1913. Hook and Ladder 8 nearly closed in 2011, but a public campaign supported by Bill de Blasio and former firefighter Steve Buschemi saved it.

Fire Station 4 (Columbus, Indiana)

Completed in 1968, Fire Station 4 in Columbus, Indiana, is one of Pritzker Prize–winning architect Robert Venturi’s early completed projects and showcases the beginnings of postmodern architecture and his theory of the decorated shed. The structure was constructed of white glazed and red brick, with an apparatus room on one side and living quarters and storage on the other. A semi-circular hose-drying tower rises from the center, adding to the scale of the building and providing a spot for a golden 4.

Feuerwehrhalle Vierschach (Italy)

Pedevilla Architects created a rose fire station for the town of Vierschach in South Tyrol, Italy. Completed in 2016, the streamlined structure was constructed of lightweight, pigmented concrete, and the shell was prefabricated, minimizing construction on site. The lower level has space for vehicles and a utility room, and the upper level has a pine-lined hall and training room. An external spiral staircase connects the two floors.

By Katherine McLaughlin

Critical Elements of Successful Fire Station Design

Much like the practices of fighting fire and supporting public safety have evolved, so has the process of designing stations. The risks to firefighters and the opportunities to support their physical and mental well-being are much better understood today than they were even a decade ago.

And when we know better, we design better.

While priorities were once configured around creating efficient spaces to meet turnout times and provide the basics of habitable space between calls, today, we provide technical and health-conscious facilities that deeply consider firefighter, fire district, and community needs. The modern fire station is more than a workplace or a home away from home. It is a tool to hone the performance of highly trained personnel who must operate 24/7.

OZ Architecture’s Civic Practice Area specializes in the design of fire stations. From working in urban core and suburban environments with clients like Denver Fire Department, Mountain View Fire Rescue, and South Metro Fire Rescue; to working in rural and mountain environments with clients like Upper Pine Fire Rescue, and Red, White, and Blue Fire Rescue, OZ has amassed a significant portfolio of forward-thinking station design work.

This experience has yielded five crucial design considerations, which we see as the new minimums in any fire station design.

1. Immersive, User-First Design

We design for people. Whether it’s a fire station, a resort, or a multifamily community, every aspect of the user experience is deeply considered when we design a space. When it comes to fire stations and designing for our first responders, the health, safety, and well-being of the people we’re designing for is always the No. 1 priority. But that doesn’t mean the experience has to feel sterile or clinical. We understand the power of design in creating an experience that helps departments recruit and retain personnel. Our goal is to enhance every aspect of a firefighter’s experience in the station, promoting happier, healthier, better rested, and ultimately more prepared firefighting crews.

One of the most critical aspects of the station experience is optimizing sleep. Study after study has proven that exhaustion and sleep deprivation are leading causes of fireground accidents. Sleep quality represents a substantial opportunity for supporting firefighter health and performance. OZ recently worked with South Metro Fire Rescue on a sleep study to better understand the elements contributing to healthy sleep patterns – ranging from bedding, light, and sound to factors like lighting, air quality, temperature control, and materiality. (Look for the results of that study soon!)

As we continue to advance our understanding of how design can create the optimal user experience for firefighters, these lessons are applied on an iterative basis to each new project.

2. Transitional Zones for Decontamination

The nature of firefighters’ work is much more diverse and complex than fighting fires alone. Throughout the course of their vital work in our communities, there are instances where they are exposed to hazardous materials while on duty – either through PFAs in older turnout gear or through the materials at the scene of a call . Recent studies have shown how particulate matter quickly travels from a firefighter’s gear to other places – their living quarters, kitchen, even home with them to the toys their children play with.

This is where good design and robust decontamination protocols can help. Based on the station design, there are varying levels of decontamination sequencing we can design for clients. These can range from simple pressure corridors and protocols for dealing with contaminated gear to more robust programs that take lessons from our work in clean rooms.

No matter how simple or elaborate the protocol, the most important thing we can do is ensure that our design encourages broad adoption. (The best protocol is wasted if no one follows it.) So, our process involves close coordination with our clients so that we can design spaces that recognize each department or district’s preferred sequence, whether bagging used gear on-site and shipping it out for cleaning or cleaning everything back at the firehouse.

3. Community Impact

Fire stations are not buildings that exist in a vacuum; they are integral to the communities they serve. Our designs prioritize community impact by deeply respecting architectural and community context, the history of the department, and the desired brand experience.

This requires understanding the unique challenges of designing in busy urban environments or mountain communities that encounter harsh weather and require special considerations for four-season accessibility. The result of our process is ideally stations that are welcoming, accessible, and inclusive – places that feel like they belong within and add value to the local community.

4. On-Site Training Facilities

Firefighters require regular training to hone their skills and stay prepared for emergencies. Beyond the all-important routine physical fitness training and associated workout facilities we include in any station design, we additionally look for opportunities to build flexible environments that support the kind of training exercises firefighters can do on-site.

As part of their standard job performance requirements (JPRs), we can design spaces that allow for everything from self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) mazes for search and rescue to victim extrication, forcible entry techniques, ladder techniques for ground and roof and confined space operations, just to name a few. We aim to maximize the station’s use as a tool for performance.

5. Design for Resilience and Flexibility

Every client deserves a resilient, healthy, high-performing, well-designed building. When it comes to station design, most of these buildings need to last 50 years or more, so it’s imperative that they consider their future energy needs and the long-term durability of their stations in the design process. As a result, more and more, we are seeing fire departments and districts pursuing true leadership in sustainability and designing to Net Zero standards.

OZ has a long history of working with clients on forward-thinking, highly sustainable designs. Through our Positive Performance process, we look at each project through the lens of 12 key markers that help narrow the values and focus for the project – from environmental performance to future maintenance costs. This process helps us identify holistic solutions for our clients that are environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable, resulting in buildings that strengthen and leave a lasting positive impact on communities.

Recognizing that fire stations need to be operational 24/7, regardless of external conditions or emergencies, we carefully consider factors such as site location, building materials, and redundant systems to ensure the station can withstand extreme weather conditions and continue to function during emergencies. We also design spaces that can be easily reconfigured or expanded to accommodate changing needs and technologies, ensuring the fire station remains functional for years.

While we consider these the basics of any good fire station design, we are constantly pushing ourselves to enhance our understanding of what will ultimately support an experience that keeps firefighters safe, enhances their sense of connection to one another and their community, and improves their mental and physical wellbeing.

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Longmont Fire: A case study in fire station design for member safety and wellbeing

The longmont (colorado) fire department’s two newest stations include some unique features.

Photo/City of Longmont (Colorado) Department of Public Safety

I am old enough to remember when having filthy bunker gear was a badge of honor. We only had one set each, and there were no laundry facilities in the stations, nor any service we could use to properly clean it. We were completely on our own, and I’m guessing there were some department members who went a whole career without ever washing their turnouts.

Those were not the good old days. Fortunately, things have changed .

Case in point: Longmont, Colorado, a city of around 100,000 people located north of Denver.

Prioritizing station safety

The Longmont Fire Department includes just over 100 personnel across six fire stations. Two of those stations are newly built, with some interesting design features that prioritize health and safety:

Dedicated turnout gear storage. LFD Station 2 was recently rebuilt at a new location, and Station 6 was rebuilt on the building’s original site; both include negative pressure rooms for turnout gear storage. Air is constantly filtered and exhausted from the storage space to remove contaminants on gear between active shifts, Assistant Chief John Weaver shared. The system also includes an energy recovery feature that is designed to use the heat from the outgoing air to prewarm incoming air before it enters the station furnaces. This is done without the actual mixing of outgoing and incoming air.

Multiple turnout gear sets. The LFD issues two sets of turnouts to all members so contaminated gear can be immediately washed after exposure. State-of-the-art laundry facilities – which are also negatively pressurized – are available at every station, and strict rules are in place to prevent bunker gear in station living spaces.

“There are constantly newer standards on what commercial laundry needs to be,” Weaver said. “It’s a moving target that’s hard to hit sometimes.”

Private sleeping spaces for all members. The level of attention to personal safety and wellbeing in station design extends further in Longmont’s fire stations to include private sleeping spaces for every member. These are not cubicles but rather fully walled rooms with closing doors. All stations in the city include this design feature.

Gone are the days when sleeping shoulder to shoulder in an airless dorm was the only option.

“I don’t know anyone who has not done individual bedrooms for a bit now,” Weaver said. “The demographics have changed. I don’t think you could ever go back.”

Many factors contribute to the desire for privacy in sleeping facilities, including differences in gender, age, how sound or wakeful one’s sleep may be, and snoring. Additionally, every fire station in Longmont uses a customized dispatch system that only wakes the person on the rig or rigs that must respond to a given call.

Weaver acknowledged that something can be lost with the end of common dorms: “From the old days of the open dorm, there was some camaraderie built in that. It’s different now. You now have a place where you can get away from people. In the old days, there was no place to go.” And although Weaver does not believe that the new living arrangement has significantly diminished crew cohesion, he did comment, “When you were in an open dorm station, if you had a problem with somebody, you had no choice but to solve it.”

But there is so much to be gained when individuals have some level of privacy and a better quality of sleep and rest while on duty. Most older firefighters can remember trying to sleep in a dorm with a habitual snorer, or someone who talked in their sleep, or someone who was restless and frequently awake and moving around.

More privacy in living space can be a recruitment issue as well. When you’re 22, sleeping in a dorm can be fun, like being at camp. By the time you’re 35, the novelty and appeal have largely worn off. And since fire departments now choose to recruit from a much wider age range, quality of station life could be a factor that influences a prospective candidate’s interest in a particular department.

Providing more privacy for firefighters is more than just about comfort; it also goes to mental health and wellness. The job is already hard enough, between difficult calls, long shifts, pressure to maintain certifications and competencies, and interpersonal dynamics among different personalities. Adding in unnecessary sleep deprivation and discomfort due to lack of privacy can make an already stressful environment that much worse.

Be proactive when it comes to safety improvements

Many people talk about prioritizing firefighters’ health and wellbeing. Station design and remodel can be costly areas for addressing these priorities but are also critical aspects of this effort. Fire departments must be proactive, not just reacting to needs but also looking ahead toward improvements that may be possible and necessary in the future.

More on LFD station design:

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Fire Station  

by Eric G. Mion Lewis & Zimmerman Associates, Inc.

Within This Page

Building attributes, emerging issues, relevant codes and standards, additional resources.

A fire station supports the needs of the fire department and the community in which it is located. It must accommodate extremely diverse functions, including housing, recreation, administration, training, community education, equipment and vehicle storage, equipment and vehicle maintenance, and hazardous materials storage. While it is usually only occupied by trained personnel, the facility may also need to accommodate the general public for community education or outreach programs.

Fire stations will vary somewhat in design depending on specific mission, i.e., the types of emergencies that will be responded to or the types of fires that will be fought. Usually, the facility differences relate to the size of the firefighting apparatus and facility location. The location of the facility is largely driven by the need to minimize response time. For example, aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF) stations provide fire protection to flight lines and aircraft and are located adjacent to the runways on airport property. Similarly, stations with hazardous waste response teams are located near likely spill sites, etc.

A. Space Types and Building Organization

Major fire station functional areas include the following:

• Apparatus bay(s) : This is where the fire fighting and emergency response vehicles are stored.
• Apparatus bay support and vehicle maintenance : These industrial spaces are where the vehicles and other fire fighting equipment are cleaned, maintained, and stored.
• Administrative and training areas : These include offices, dispatch facilities, and training and conference rooms.
• Residential areas : These include the dorm rooms, day room/kitchen, and residential support areas such as bathrooms and fitness spaces.

The two primary drivers for facility layout and functional space adjacencies in a fire station are the following:

• Ensure that internal response times can be met (time for a firefighter to reach the apparatus and be ready to depart).
• Separate the diverse and sometimes conflicting functions such as industrial maintenance spaces and residential spaces.

Sample adjacency diagram for a fire station. Developed by DMJM Design, Arlington, VA

Apparatus Bays

By placing the apparatus bay between the maintenance and support functions and the residential and administrative functions, both primary layout goals can be accomplished. Some of the adjacencies shown above may be accommodated through a hallway rather than a direct entrance/exit from one space to another. This is particularly true with the apparatus bay and the day room as many facility spaces require an adjacency with these two spaces.

This approach to the layout can also accommodate expansion of the apparatus bay on the other side of the support and maintenance areas, although care must be taken to ensure that internal response times can be met after any expansion.

Sizing the apparatus bay is critical, and it should be designed to accommodate variable vehicle sizes. Typically, the entire room is sized based on the bay size for the largest vehicle in the fleet or the largest anticipated vehicle. Bays also include vehicle exhaust removal systems, compressed air and power drop lines, and hot and cold water connections. Bay doors must also accommodate the largest vehicle and include a manual means to open in case of power failure. Ideally, the site will accommodate drive-through bays.

Sample functional layout for a fire station. Developed by DMJM Design, Arlington, VA

Apparatus Bay Support and Vehicle Maintenance

Apparatus bay support functions include cleaning and maintenance areas for the firefighter's self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), protective clothing, fire extinguishers, and other equipment. It also includes storage areas for firefighting gear and equipment and secure storage for medical supplies. Some of these areas are specialized spaces for disinfecting protective equipment and for maintaining and recharging the SCBA in a clean environment. See also Light Industrial space type.

Agent storage is typically provided in a single-story structure separate from the fire station building. It should be located along the drive leading into the Apparatus Bay for ease of loading and unloading of fire fighting agents. In some cases, it may be attached to the main structure.

A vehicle maintenance bay may also be included in a fire station. It is a dedicated maintenance area for the fire fighting apparatus and includes a heavy-duty lift and all utility connections required for large vehicle maintenance.

Administrative and Training Areas

Administrative areas include standard offices and conference and training rooms . The area will also likely include additional specialized spaces such as the chief's office with sleeping and shower facilities and computer training/testing facilities for firefighter continuing education. Some stations may include a highly specialized dispatch room for receiving emergency calls from the public.

Residential Areas

The day room accommodates kitchen, dining, and living/recreation functions. It is often separated into subspaces for those three functions, but an open design may also be effective to encourage interaction between the spaces. The dining space may also double as training or meeting space and might include provisions for audiovisual equipment.

Sample day room layout for a fire station. Developed by DMJM Design, Arlington, VA

Dorm room design can vary widely from station to station and department to department. Each firefighter is provided with a place to sleep, work, and store personal items. Careful consideration should be given to the location and design of the area to ensure response times can be met. See Emerging Issues below for more information on dorm rooms.

Other residential areas include a laundry room, a physical fitness room , bathrooms and showers, and possible additional recreation spaces such as an outdoor patio and game room.

B. Design Considerations

Key design goals and considerations for fire stations include the following:

Promote Occupant Quality of Life

Fire stations are occupied 24 hours a day, seven days a week by personnel in continuous 24-hour shifts. Therefore, ensuring a comfortable living environment for the firefighters is paramount:

• Provide ample natural light .
• Provide individual dorm rooms, if budget allows.
• Provide ample recreation areas and separate noisy areas (such as a game room) from quieter areas (such as a television room).
• Avoid institutional and unnatural finishes, textures, and colors.

Maintain a Safe and Healthy Environment

As above, due to the continuous occupation of the facility by firefighters and the presence of hazardous materials, special attention must be given to designing the facility to accommodate equipment and operational strategies to both protect the occupants and maintain a healthy environment . Consider the following critical elements:

• Provide a secure facility for both personnel and materials such as controlled medical supplies and hazardous fire suppression agents.
• Use non-toxic building materials and improved maintenance practices.
• Ensure good indoor air quality and abundant natural light in the residential and administrative areas.
• Ensure good ventilation of industrial areas such as the apparatus bay and prevent contamination of clean spaces such as the SCBA maintenance areas.
• Ensure that equipment, furnishings, and finishes do not contain asbestos or lead.

Ensure Flexibility

As fire fighting technology evolves, fire stations need to evolve as well. Consider the following areas:

• Plan for potential expansion, both in the apparatus bay area and the residential areas.
• Ensure appropriate product/systems integration .
• Design for the changing nature of work .

One emerging issue in fire station design is the additional attention given to firefighter quality of life. As noted above in design considerations, one way to promote quality of life is to provide separate dorm rooms for each firefighter. Typically, each room is shared between firefighters of different crews/shifts so that the room is never occupied simultaneously. Individual lockers are provided for each firefighter. A bed, nightstand, and desk are shared.

Some departments are taking this one step further and providing separate beds for each firefighter. Wall-beds, also known as "Murphy-beds," are also becoming a common alternative. These combine the qualities of an individual bed with added space savings.

Three sample dorm room layouts for a fire station. Developed by DMJM Design, Arlington, VA

Standard federal and state building codes apply, as appropriate. There are also numerous codes and standards that apply to the staffing and operation of a fire/rescue department; key standards include the following:

• AC 150/5210–15A Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Station Building Design , Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
• Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS) , ISO Mitigation (Insurance Services Office)
• NFPA 403: Standard for Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Services at Airports , National Fire Protection Association
• NFPA 1500: Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program , National Fire Protection Association
• NFPA 1581: Standard on Fire Department Infection Control Program , National Fire Protection Association
• NFPA 1710: Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments , National Fire Protection Association
• NFPA 1720: Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations and Special Operations to the Public by Volunteer Fire Departments , National Fire Protection Association

Department of Defense

• DoD Instruction 6055.6 DoD Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) Program  
• FC 4-730-10N Navy and Marine Corps Fire Stations
• UFC 4-730-10 Fire Stations (USACE and Air Force Only)

Organizations

• International Association of Fire Chiefs
• International Association of Fire Fighters
• National Fire Protection Association

WBDG Participating Agencies

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Fire Station Design

BKV Group is a socially responsible leader in the planning and design of first responder facilities, recognized for creativity in design, commitment to sustainability, and innovation in building technology.

Specialized Fire Station Expertise

BKV Group has spent decades becoming experts in fire station planning and design. Our team of architects, interior designers, landscape architects, and engineers has designed well over 200 fire stations for more than 90 different clients . We have completed projects across the nation, ranging from rural volunteer station renovations to administration buildings for large urban departments. We are constantly researching topics of interest to our clients in an effort to serve you better. We carefully examine trends in the fire service industry so we can lead discussions about how they may affect your community in the future. Trends like continued evolution of fire apparatus, interoperability with law enforcement, millennials’ expectations of personal privacy, training-in-place, sustainable operations, and the role of fire prevention activities all affect building design in significant ways, and can be the difference between a 25-year building and a 50-year building. Through this experience and research, our team has developed a deep knowledge of national standards and best practices, as well as an appreciation for the different skill sets and unique attributes that make each department a unique joy with which to work.

Long-Term Planning & Design

In the fire service, resiliency is more than a buzzword – it’s mission critical. At BKV Group, we understand the nature of resiliency, and it informs our design decisions throughout the project. We use diverse solutions to help our clients be prepared for a range of vulnerabilities. The best way to protect firefighters from the hazards of diesel exhaust is to install tailpipe capture devices as well as general garage exhaust fans, each of which is superior under certain conditions but neither of which is ideal for all conditions. We recommend apparatus doors at front and back for ease of driving but also in case something fails, and we extend this redundant mindset to all aspects of the building – HVAC, electricity, plumbing fixtures, alerting, etc. We design for durability, not only to withstand hard use by the firefighters but to protect the firefighters and equipment through intense storms. With low-maintenance and long-lasting materials and a careful approach to long-term energy use, the building can operate at a high level for 50 years or more. We design with multi-functional rooms, with pathways to gracefully integrate future technology, and with renovation and expansion in mind, because we believe that a fire station should be able to adapt to the changing world.

Fire Station Design Experts

CRAIG CARTER

Public Safety Practice Leader , Partner Pittsburgh, PA

Mark Manetti

Government Practice Leader, Partner Washington, DC

Henry Pittner

Justice Practice Leader, Partner Chicago, IL

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Station Design: Firehouses that Care for Their Occupants

Craig Carter explains that designs of future firehouses will contribute to better sleep, healthier mindsets and better physical wellness.

Station Construction: Budgeting for Soft Costs

Henry Pittner’s explanation of how to thoroughly break down non-construction fire station costs prepares you to answer difficult questions from those who hold the purse strings.

Newest Concepts to Promote Camaraderie & Mental Health

Margaret Lafferty details her design strategies for enlightening fire chiefs and municipal administrators in order to enliven the various interior spaces where the fire station can boost morale.

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Firestation Berendrecht / Bovenbouw

• Curated by ArchDaily
• Architects: Bovenbouw
• Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2014
• Photographs Photographs: Filip Dujardin
• Energy : K27
• Concrete Structure : Betca/ Peikko
• Main Contractor : Brebuild NV.
• Client:  AG Vespa
• Gross External Internal Area:  1126 m2 - 993 m2
• Build Cost:  1.765.323,41 € excl. VAT
• Architect In Charge:  Dirk Somers, Eline Aerts, Sidse Hald
• City:  Antwerpen
• Country:  Belgium
• Did you collaborate on this project?

Text description provided by the architects. A new fire station north of Antwerp near the harbour. The site is triangularly shaped and surrounded by infrastructure on all sides. The design of the new fire station doesn’t want to have a formal resemblance with the nearby hangars, but is a synthesis of the general character of the building typology of the harbour.

On top of the two utilitarian floors  there is a domestic floor with a living room, kitchen, fitness, sleeping rooms and an outdoor sports field, arranged around a patio. The sports field, located on the corner of the building, is covered with a semi-transparent wooden panelling and therefore stays in contact with outside. An open staircase relates the domestic floor to the two lower floors.

The offices become a transition between the living and the hard program; from which there is a visual relationship to the fire trucks and with the street.  Within this transition zone the offices, dressing rooms and showers are located. Situated below is the garage and, along the service entrance, a bicycle storage and car park.

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Project location

Address: kruisweg 22, 2040 antwerpen, belgium.

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• Sustainability

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Learn everything you need to know about effective fire and law enforcement station design

Station Design Conference is a unique learning and networking experience designed to connect public safety officials, fire chiefs, police chiefs, project managers and municipal managers who are actively involved in fire and law enforcement station design. Specifically focused on providing information on the latest trends and developments in the design and construction of effective, long-lasting facilities, Station Design Conference provides an interactive and highly engaging platform where new station design ideas, insights, knowledge and best practices are shared.

What did our 2023 attendees think of Station Design Conference?

of 2023 attendees rated their overall experience as Exceptional/Very Good/Good

of 2023 attendees rated the quality of the sessions as Exceptional/Very Good/Good

rated the quality of attendees as Excellent/Very Good/Good

rated the quality of the exhibitors as Excellent/Very Good/Good

would recommend Station Design Conference to a colleague

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Email:  [email protected] Customer Service standard business hours are 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CT

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