In Quarters: Meridian, ID, Public Safety Campus

This facility received the Joint Facilities Notable award in the 2024 Firehouse Station Design Awards. Find the full list of winners here.

Meridian, which is one of the nation’s fastest growing cities, faced an urgent need for new public safety facilities to serve its expanding community. What resulted is the design of a collaborative campus that includes Fire Station 8 and a modern police precinct and that’s strategically located on the northwest corner of the city.

Fire Station 8 was crafted with a residential aesthetic, utilizing a gabled roof and durable composite shingle materials.

Designed to prioritize health and safety, the station incorporates a fitness area that has access to outdoor workout spaces and a dedicated wellness room.

The fire station’s layout simultaneously optimizes workflows and anticipates future growth demands.

In contrast, the police precinct was planned with distinct operational zones to enhance efficiency. Divided into two masses, it strategically separates intake functions and offices while sharing emergency power systems. Security measures, such as opaque fencing, high windowsills and bulletproof glazing, ensure safety and privacy, complemented by serene interiors and specialized equipment storage.

Strategic site placement played a pivotal role in design and construction, positioning the precinct further back for ample parking and the fire station closer to the road to manage traffic effectively. This layout facilitates intuitive navigation for the public.

Navigating challenges, including COVID-19-induced cost inflation, the design team maintained fiscal discipline without compromising quality. Strategic material choices and adjustments preserved the integrity of the design while meeting functional and aesthetic objectives.

Together, these facilities form a cohesive public safety campus that balances the unique needs of the fire and police departments while presenting a unified architectural identity. Overcoming budget constraints and extreme labor shortages, the team delivered a resilient joint campus that supports Meridian’s evolving public safety needs and prepares for future community growth.

Architect: Rice Fergus Miller