We ♥ firefighters — not just because they save our lives and protect our city (and look good in their uniforms…), but also because their newest fire station has been designed to be über energy efficient and more environmentally friendly. The new station, built on the site of the old and outdated station, was constructed by Swinerton Incorporated, who made sure that sustainable materials were utilized, like denim insulation, linoleum, FSC-certified wood products, and cool roofing materials.
A natural ventilation system provides all the cooling the station needs, reducing energy use and improving air quality, while a radiant floor system provides heating. A solar hot water system provides all of the station’s hot water, and water-efficient fixtures were incorporated to reduce water use. The project rehabilitated a brownfield site, and 75% of the construction waste was diverted from the landfill.
The newest fire station in the district also offers an updated floorplan and layout that features three drive-thru apparatus bays, nine hotel-style rooms for fire fighters (including two captain’s bedrooms), spacious and secure parking, an interior courtyard, and a large public community room – all located on a tight urban site measuring 10,000 square feet. Each of the hotel-style rooms has a bathroom, providing each firefighter with more privacy and allowing the fire department to staff their crews with sensitivity to gender.
Photo credits: Swinerton Flickr
