Updated the station to accommodate modern equipment and larger staff size, a station more central to the neighborhoods it serves. The two-story station includes four large truck bays, a kitchen and dining room, a dayroom, and training rooms. The small site is strategically used through complex grading and incorporates sustainable features unique to a municipal building.
Created a model of sustainability in an industrial neighborhood, achieving LEED Platinum certification via sustainable elements like solar panels, green roofs, geothermal wells, vegetable gardens, and LED lighting. Water and energy savings are showcased just outside the building on a custom flip-dot display.
Conducted extensive maneuverability testing at Seattle’s Joint Training Facility to ensure the two pull-through bays allow safe entry from the back of the building. In order to accommodate an extraordinarily tight site, our team ensured that trucks have sufficient space to make turns, and crews could avoid navigating the busy 15th Street.
Strategically utilized the site’s grade change to create tiered rain gardens which manage stormwater, and terraces which serve as retaining walls to prevent erosion.
Implemented standout sustainable elements including a greywater reuse system which captures and stores shower water in a large cistern, allowing it to be recycled onsite – perfect for washing firetrucks!
Learned the needs and priorities of firefighters, then designed accordingly. From eliminating stairs for quick emergency response times to ensuring proper bay drainage for truck washing, everything was created with crew needs in mind.
Photography © Lara Swimmer and Andrew Buchanan/SLP; ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
