In Quarters: Alden A. Mills Point of Pines Fire Station 2, Revere, MA

This facility received the Satellite Silver award in the 2025 Firehouse Station Design Awards. Find the full list of winners here. 

The city of Revere partnered with the architectural firm to design a fire station to replace the aging and decommissioned Point of Pines Fire Station. Strategically located on one  of the highest elevations in a flood-prone coastal zone, the new facility and its flood-resistant construction ensures uninterrupted emergency response capability even during severe weather events and the storm surge and flooding that can accompany them. Its placement positions it to serve a rapidly developing section of the city with improved access and coverage.

From the outset, the department emphasized the need for a resilient, future-ready facility that could support rapid response, promote firefighter wellness and serve as a community anchor.

The design team responded with a solution that integrates operational efficiency, environmental resilience and community engagement.

To facilitate the quickest response times. The centrally located apparatus bays provide direct access to the adjacent roadway. The station layout minimizes travel distance from living quarters to apparatus, with clear sightlines and intuitive circulation paths. Turnout gear storage is positioned adjacent to the bays, and fire poles and stairways are placed strategically to reduce transition time.

Firefighter health and wellness were central to the design. A zoned layout separates clean and dirty areas, to reduce exposure to carcinogens and contaminants. Decontamination showers and gear extraction systems are integrated into the transition zones.

Living quarters’ natural light, acoustic separation, and access to outdoor space support mental health and rest. A fitness room encourages physical conditioning. The inclusion of a multipurpose community room/Emergency Operations Center, the size of which impressed the Station Design Awards judges, fosters connection with the public and provides a space for training, coordination and outreach.

A firefighters memorial honors those who have served and sacrificed. This contemplative space reinforces the station’s role not just as a workplace but as a place of pride and remembrance for the fire service and the community. The Station Design Awards judges applauded its prominent but tasteful design.

Designing for a flood-prone site presented significant challenges. The team overcame these by elevating critical infrastructure, using flood-tolerant materials and incorporating passive resilience strategies. The building envelope is designed to withstand periodic inundation, and mechanical systems are located above flood levels.

Architect: Winter Street Architects