In Quarters: Riverside County Fire Station 41, North Shore, CA
This facility received the Career 2 Notable award in the 2024 Firehouse Station Design Awards. Find the full list of winners here.
Situated in the southeastern Coachella Valley on the banks of the Salton Sea, Fire Station 41 exemplifies excellence and durability in the harsh Mojave Desert climate. Built more than 50 years ago, the initial station was smaller than 1,000 sq. ft., lacking adequate living space and an apparatus bay. The need for a new station became urgent because of damage from seasonal thunderstorms and the potential for lithium-ion mining operations.
Designed to last more than 50 years, the new station boasts a modern mid-century design, reflecting the community’s historical roots and prioritizing energy efficiency. It’s designed for long-term weather resistance, minimal upkeep and future expansion. Materials were selected for their resilience to the area’s extreme temperatures, which often exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit during summer. Swisspearl fiber cement paneling on the exterior reduces solar heat gain, to maintain a cooler interior. The structure minimizes direct sunlight by 85 percent yet allows ambient light through numerous windows.
The firehouse’s apparatus bay, which is equipped with a Plymovent system, is designed and constructed to protect staff from exposure to the diesel exhaust of emergency vehicles.
The station focuses on efficiency and safety, featuring a separate gear decontamination area that has PPE extractors and dryers to prevent carcinogen contamination in common areas. A negative pressure workspace ensures proper ventilation of fumes in the maintenance workshop.
Individual bedrooms and bathrooms provide privacy and reduce the spread of infectious diseases.
A fully equipped exercise room opens to an outdoor space, to offer flexibility for physical training.
The firehouse’s large commercial kitchen, which is equipped with industrial-grade appliances, serves as a central gathering spot for crew meals and other activities.
Ample storage and sound-deadening insulation that’s incorporated throughout the facility optimize the living quarters, to provide for sustainable and restful living.
Fire Station 41 stands as a testament to the department’s commitment to the community and offers a safe, efficient and welcoming environment for first responders. Furthermore, it is designed to serve a diverse community population for generations to come.
Architect: Holt Architecture