This facility received the Satellite Silver Award in the 2023 Firehouse Station Design Awards. Find the full list of winners here.
Fire Station No. 3 is one of three civic buildings that are within the city of Palo Alto’s Rinconada Park. The new station, which is twice the size of the former one, fits within the original site and is informed by the historic mid-century-design library that’s immediately across the street. The station is clad in natural terra cotta and gray zinc panels over a continuous air/water barrier and insulation. The materials blend well in the city park setting of mature redwoods. The materials also relate to the park’s civic buildings, are modern interpretations of traditional fire station cladding and provide a high-performance level that enabled the station to achieve a LEED Gold Certification.
The firefighters of Fire Station No. 3 refer to their new home as the “Tree House.” The integration of the station and the park was a key design theme. The building, parking and fire apparatus seamlessly weave between several large, heritage trees. From the second floor, the firefighters can gaze upon the park, yet their privacy in the living quarters is maintained because of the strategic location of window fenestration.
The heart of the station is the kitchen and adjacent common area. The kitchen supports the firefighters’ culinary passion by providing commercial-grade equipment and an open, cheerful environment via abundant natural light.
The firefighters can maintain their physical fitness exercise in the gym. Expansive sliding glass windows provide cross ventilation.
The station incorporates best practices to reduce fire personnel exposure to fire- and medical-related contaminates that are brought back to the station. Ample detoxification and medical cleaning stations are in the apparatus bay. Hand sinks and built-in floor mats remove potential carcinogens and infectious diseases from firefighters before they ascend to the living quarters of the firehouse.
Architect/Firm Name: Alan Kawasaki/Shah Kawasaki Architects
