In Quarters: Channahon, IL, Fire Protection District Station No. 2

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

Station No. 2 replaces a volunteerera facility in a new location that significantly improves emergency response times in this growing but still largely rural area. The station’s efficient, highly functional design simultaneously strengthens public safety, honors the region’s agricultural heritage and supports the well-being of emergency personnel.

Located on a 3.82-acre site, Station No. 2 is strategically close to Interstate 55 and adjacent to planned commercial development. This proximity delivers the intended results: Deployment and response times improved by three minutes, or 23 percent. “Amazing,” claimed one Station Design Awards judge.

Station No. 2’s design leverages a modest budget to exert a significant architectural presence, including via a shed roof and exterior metal panels of varied hues that echo the agrarian structures that are central to the Midwestern landscape. The Station Design Awards judges were impressed with the combination of color and tradition to produce a modern look that has depth and personality in a rural area.

That said, more than a nod to history, these elements are key to the functionality of the station. For example, the single-slope shed roof provides generous clearance for vehicles at the front of the apparatus bay, then gracefully descends to reduce volume and energy consumption elsewhere.

Station No. 2’s compact footprint houses three apparatus bays that have distinct zones to contain fire contaminants and an ICC 500-rated storm shelter. Inside of the station, efficient workspaces support productivity, while the living quarters enhance the well-being of members. Throughout the station, natural light and operable windows ensure comfort and strengthen a connection to the outdoor world. Communal areas, such as the dayroom, kitchen and patio, are designed to foster camaraderie and team cohesion.

The living quarters include individual bunkrooms that feature natural materials, personal storage and environmental controls, to ensure that members have the autonomy and comfort that they need during long shifts.

Station No. 2’s design anticipates future expansion, including the addition of a fourth apparatus bay.

Architect: FGM Architects