This facility received the Satellite Bronze Award in the 2021 Firehouse Station Design Awards. Find the full list of winners here.
Building aesthetics for Station No. 74 comply with the residential development’s rigid guidelines. Texas Hill Country limestone, corrugated metal panels, roof slopes and a pale green cement-plaster finish match other prominent community facilities.
A rain-harvesting system accents the building aesthetics; it enables rainwater to be used for irrigation and washing of fire apparatus.
The open concrete area that’s in front of the office/conference area provides a smooth, flat and durable surface for promotion ceremonies and outdoor training activities as well as space for a future administration/training building addition (without needing to rework site storm-detention and drainage).
Station siting balances the following needs: efficient apparatus exit access to the main thoroughfare; structure placed away from steep grade drop-off to reduce need for excessive earthwork; access driveway complies with jurisdictional roadway regulations while allowing space on site for the separation of public and private paved access areas.
The building orientation allows for prominent public-facing of the administrative component. The common living areas and outdoor covered patios are oriented north for optimal daylight and reduced heat gain and to maximize views of natural landscape that slopes downward toward the north and east.
Most sleeping areas are provided with natural daylight for reinforcement of positive mental health but also have black-out shades for undisturbed sleep.
Restrooms are located and designed for gender-neutral accommodation and for noise separation from sleeping areas.
The partial division between the dayroom and the kitchen/dining area provides the fire department with a more intimate, lighting-controlled dayroom area while still having a close spatial and audible connection to the other common areas.
Architect/Firm Name: Martinez Architects
