In Quarters: Celina, TX, Fire Station No. 3
This facility received the Satellite Notable award in the 2024 Firehouse Station Design Awards. Find the full list of winners here.
The city of Celina sought a design of a facility that would serve as a prototype for the development of future satellite stations. The architectural firm’s design team collaborated with fire department personnel and city facilities planning staff to create a “Texas Farm House” aesthetic, the purpose of which is to reflect the residential character of the adjacent neighborhood while maintaining clear identification as a fire station. The ensuing design prioritizes functionality and comfort for firefighters.
The one-story, stone facility includes five drive-through apparatus bays, living quarters for 12 coed firefighters and two captain’s quarters. A state-of-the-art fitness center features a roll-up glass door that provides access to a wraparound patio for members to conduct outdoor workouts. Men’s and women’s locker rooms, which are equipped with full-size wood lockers and built-in benches, also function as storm shelters.
Semiprivate bunkrooms support a culture of wellness. Clerestory-capped corridors fill the space with natural light. The comfortable, multitiered dayroom, which includes overstuffed recliners and a surround-sound audio/video system, offers a relaxing area for staff. The spacious kitchen and dining area promote a residential feel, with access to a covered outdoor dining space amid a natural garden setting.
The station’s apparatus bay includes a mechanical mezzanine for training exercises and extra equipment storage. Sustainability and LEED principles are integrated into the facility via solar-efficient building orientation, clerestory lighting, efficient HVAC systems, LED lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures, Energy Starrated appliances and drought-tolerant landscaping that includes drip irrigation.
Durable finishes that were selected for comfort and maintenance include wood trusses, premium wood cabinets, quartz countertops, ceramic tile and polished concrete floors. This not only meets operational needs but also fosters a welcoming and sustainable environment for the personnel who operate out of and live in the fire station.
Architect: HED
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