This facility received a Career 1 Silver Award in Firehouse's 2020 Station Design Awards. Find the full list of winners here.
Galveston Island has seen its fair share of devastating hurricanes over the past 120 years. Fully funded by a Hurricane Ike disaster recovery grant, the new Fire Station No. 1 is designed to withstand inevitable future hurricanes and contribute to the architectural character of this historic Texas city.
The new station was built to withstand the wind speeds, debris and storm surge from a Category 5 hurricane. Located in the heart of Galveston next to City Hall and the famous Moody Mansion, the station’s design complements the architectural styles of its neighbors. The symmetrical form of the building is derived from the Classical Revival style of the City Hall, while the materials, balconies and detailing reflect the Romanesque style of the Moody Mansion. To create a connection between the City Hall and fire station, the entrances are orientated on axis to one another across a new public plaza, where the former fire station stood.
To mitigate future flood events from rendering the station inoperable, the training, living and administrative spaces are located on the second and third levels, and all mechanical equipment is elevated. The first level, which consists of four 100-foot-deep apparatus bays and support spaces, is designed to allow flood waters to pass through the building via flood vents. Concrete masonry unit block walls, corrosion-resistant materials, and raised electrical outlets will prevent costly flood damage and allow for easy cleanup.
In the event of an emergency, the station is fully generated and has the capacity to sleep 19 people, and the training room can double as a backup emergency operations center. Fire Station No. 1 quickly has become a new civic landmark that will continue to serve and protect the surrounding community for decades to come.
Architect/Firm Name: Brown Reynolds Watford Architects.
