This facility received a Satellite Gold Award in Firehouse's 2020 Station Design Awards. Find the full list of winners here.
The Maryland Heights Fire Protection District (FPD) operates two stations in St. Louis County, MO. The challenges of community growth and outmoded facilities spurred a 2014 referendum that financed this replacement station. Engine House No. 2 opened in 2016 with a 17,140-square-foot footprint on 1.2 acres.
The station’s exterior design nestles into its residential neighborhood with a pitched roof and handsome masonry construction. The drive-through apparatus bay, with adjoining training tower, has bifolding doors at the front to help achieve the district’s fast response times. The bay’s bunker gear room also serves as a hardened storm shelter, and the mezzanine offers a fully equipped exercise room for station crew.
The station work quarters include a captain’s office that has meeting space and a view to the adjoining public entry vestibule. The shift office has three workstations that provide views into the apparatus bay to monitor the flow of personnel and emergency vehicles.
The living quarters are designed to support the well-being of 24/7 crews via an open-space kitchen/dining area, a dayroom and a smaller TV/library room. A covered outdoor patio that includes comfortable seating offers space for grilling and de-stressing. The sleep quarters include six bunk rooms for the crew, a captain’s bunk and three holdover rooms.
Public spaces in Engine House No. 2 include a multipurpose room that’s used for meetings, training and community gatherings. A community paramedic room is available to treat walk-in patients. The interior of the station incorporates warm reds, greys and wood tones, with the FPD logo featured in tabletops, focal walls and bedding to instill department pride.
Engine House No.2 was designed for sustainability. Features include a bioretention basin to treat stormwater runoff and power outlets in the parking area that anticipate future electric car use. Inside of the station, natural daylight predominates and is reinforced by LED lighting and occupancy sensors.
Architect/Firm Name: FGM Architects, Inc.
