This facility received the Career 2 Notable Award in the 2021 Firehouse Station Design Awards. Find the full list of winners here.
Grapevine, which is a growing community that’s north of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, is a suburban pocket that’s tucked between Dallas and Fort Worth. The department currently has five active stations in its network, four of which were designed by the same team that designed Grapevine Fire Station No. 2. Fire Station No. 2 is a replacement station that’s located on a prominent corner of the town.
The intersection of Dove Road and Kimball Avenue meet to form the triangulated site, which provides space for the new four-bay station. The prominent location informed the decision to pull the station’s public entry and visitor parking toward the corner of the lot, thus allowing the apparatus bay distance from the intersection.
The footprint is organized in three layers: a U-shaped living environment, a square apparatus bay that has four pull-through bays and is placed away from daily living spaces, and a zone for decontamination, bunker gear storage and mechanical needs. This allows for easy linear travel to reduce response times for firefighters. During early planning stages, the opportunity to add a 14-foot-deep tank for diving training was realized and sited at the apex of the triangulated site.
Main living environments and sleeping quarters are organized to create a protective barrier to an adjacent courtyard. Away from the street, the protected courtyard provides responders with a sheltered patio and an outdoor cooking area. The courtyard also encourages outdoor activities, decompression and wellness via its space to relax, reflect and work out on a porch that connects to the fitness room.
Design intention additionally places emphasis on the public access to the building. As visitors walk to the front door, a prominent entry porch canopy guides their way. Along the approach, people are protected under the shade structure, and a red overhead door reveals a classic fire truck display.
Architect/Firm Name: BRW Architects
