In Quarters: Chesterfield, VA, Fire/EMS Station No. 5

This facility received the Career 2 Notable award in the 2025 Firehouse Station Design Awards. Find the full list of winners here. 

The team designed and provided construction administration services for a new three-bay fire and EMS station. The scope of project included preliminary design to include site evaluation for future development and rezoning assistance. The project site was on a prominent location and part  of the proposed “special area plan,” therefore requiring complex coordination with county and fire department leadership, adjacent landowners and proposed developments that are near the site. As such, the design team supported the community leadership in public meetings to present a design that met the needs of the fire department as well as the locality.

The one-story facility was developed from a previous prototype design. The prototype design was modified and improved to function even more efficiently for the department’s growing needs. Although the station is a one-story facility, the team designed the exterior elements to make the station appear as a 1½-story structure to match the development requirements of the special area plan in the surrounding area.

The station’s design is reflective of Jeffersonian architecture and new urban design vision. The design team performed programming and design of the fire station to include individual bunkrooms and toilet/shower rooms, associated day spaces, staff offices, secure EMS storage, and other support and decontamination spaces. A thoughtful articulation of exterior details on all sides of the building was critical to meet the aesthetic concerns and public visibility. The station’s brickwork was deemed “exceptional” by the Station Design Awards judges.

In addition to the durable masonry veneer and other long-term finishes of the exterior, materials on the interior were selected with warm tone finishes to evoke a sense of physical and emotional well-being that’s similar to the comfort of home while maintaining the durability that’s necessary for an active firehouse. The Station Design Awards judges considered the care that was associated with the interior aesthetics on par with that of the exterior.

Throughout the construction phase, the design team coordinated and supported the owner, leading meetings, providing input on questions during construction and ensuring a successful final product. As issues arose with material availability and lead times, cost escalation issues were at their peak in the post-pandemic market. Thus, the design team worked closely with the contractor and owner to consider and review alternative options and substitutions to maintain the schedule and budget for the project.

Architect: Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects