In Quarters: Allen, TX, Fire Station No. 6

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

The city of Allen’s Fire Station No. 6 merges operational performance with long-term community and firefighter wellness goals. Located on a triangular site that’s bisected by a creek, the station presented immediate design challenges. 

Nevertheless, through thoughtful planning and collaboration, the site was transformed into a strategic asset and a healing natural backdrop.

Working closely with fire department personnel, the design team developed a plan that placed the station between the creek and street, including orienting the living quarters to overlook the creek. This site strategy not only provided stunning views that support mental decompression but also allowed for a compact and efficient circulation loop that’s critical to rapid response. A large culvert bridges the creek beneath the apparatus bay apron, to ensure full emergency vehicle access with minimal environmental impact.

The facility includes five drive-through apparatus bays, 12 individual bunkrooms, a fitness center, zoned locker rooms and a large kitchen/dining/dayroom area. The design prioritizes rapid response through direct, unobstructed travel paths from living spaces to the bay, an element with which the Station Design Awards judges were impressed. Each area is spatially zoned into Hot, Warm and Cold Zones. Decontamination showers, gear storage and airlock transitions provide layers of defense to protect clean spaces and ensure operational safety.

All bunkrooms and common spaces receive ample natural light via large windows that frame views of the creek. Durable, nontoxic materials support indoor air quality, and acoustic strategies throughout the station reduce auditory stress.

The station’s zoned alerting system helps to minimize sleep disruption by isolating alarms to the appropriate personnel. The centrally located fitness center is easily accessible to encourage consistent physical training routines.

Although not a formal training facility, the station includes several training-supportive features: The apparatus bays double as drill space, and the culvert crossing and drive apron are designed for vehicle maneuvering practice. These informal training elements were integrated purposefully to support continued readiness without compromising the site’s compact footprint.

Architecturally, the station blends civic pride with timeless design. Drawing inspiration from historic firehouses, the exterior features a mix of rich brick tones and textures, including velour, vertical scratch and smooth finishes. The design uses both full-size and thin brick to achieve depth and dimension, while cast stone accents provide visual contrast and warmth. The Station Design Awards judges were complimentary of the end result. “A beautiful design,” one judged commented.

Allen Fire Station No. 6 is a high-performance environment that safeguards the physical, mental and emotional well-being of its firefighters and elevates the civic identity of the community that it serves.

Architect: HED