This facility received a Career 1 Notable Award in the 2022 Firehouse Station Design Awards. Find the full list of winners here.
Goodyear Fire Station 181 defines a new class of facility that’s designed and built around firefighter health. With the growing understanding of the dangerous exposure to contaminants, carcinogens and high-stress situations, the building was designed to be as clean and safe as possible. The building design began with a zoned approach to designate areas of the building that are related to Hot, Warm and Cold hazardous contaminants exposure. This design approach encourages the separation and control of carcinogens as occupants move through the various spaces. On returning from a call, a large canopy on the rear apron allows the apparatus to be washed down before returning into the bay, which is equipped with both mass extraction and a direct Plymovent exhaust system, to ensure that any contaminants that do enter are evacuated efficiently. Station living spaces are further separated from the apparatus bays with negative pressure vestibules that serve as airlocks. A decontamination corridor that allows firefighters to decon their gear is set opposite from the living areas.
Focused on overall wellness of the station crew, immersive design principles create spaces for recuperation after stressful calls. The kitchen/dining/dayroom area, the fitness area and the dormitories all line the outer edge of the building, which allows in natural light and connection to the outdoors. Critical alert systems and lighting choices were installed to reduce the issue of sleep deprivation.
A 37-foot-tall training tower that has a landing and an interior mezzanine that looks out over the apparatus bays facilitates laddering, rappelling and other routine exercises.
The new station is particularly meaningful for 20-year Goodyear firefighter Gilbert Aguirre, who won a battle with leukemia after being diagnosed five years ago. “Honestly, I think it’s changing the fire service in general—not just in Arizona but around the country,” Aguirre said. “This building has a special meaning to me, because one of the things that we’re doing with these stations is dedicating a lot of the ideas and time to cancer prevention. I’ve been involved with this project since the very beginning of it, and I’m so thankful that the chiefs allowed me to be involved. It’s great for the community all around to have something to protect them and to protect the firefighters that are helping them.”
Architect/Firm Name: DFDG Architects and CR architecture + design
