In Quarters: Clark County, NV, Fire Station #61

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

Fire Station #61 replaces a 1979 facility with updated operational capabilities to support modern emergency response. Located on a constrained site, the project required a rebuild in place, opting for a single-story station to fit within the fabric of its neighborhood. The county sought a facility that was durable, efficient and forward-thinking to elevate firefighter well-being.

In a key research exercise, the team collaborated with station leadership and crew members to test the team’s design concept for apparatus bay layouts; framing; and erecting dimensional lumber and sheathing at the fire training facility grounds to simulate the building’s perimeter footprint, to test turning radii and to confirm that the largest vehicles that would be assigned to the station could maneuver the site. The insights shaped the final layout and ensured that the new footprint met both spatial and logistical requirements.

Design decisions prioritized health and morale by including 12 private dormitory rooms, a separate captain’s suite, private showers, a kitchen and dining area, a dayroom, a workout room and an outdoor space. These features were designed to support the station’s crew culture, wherein everyone contributes to maintaining the space. The kitchen, dining area, dayroom and patio form a central core where crews can regroup and recharge, with intentionally configured community space working to support the station’s culture.

Understanding the staff ’s responsibility for building repairs and upkeep, materials were selected for durability under heavy daily use. Finished insulated masonry, stainless-steel surfaces, and charred wood siding offer longevity and low maintenance.

Translucent apparatus bay doors bring in daylight while avoiding heat buildup. Shading elements reduce solar exposure and help the building to perform in Nevada’s harsh desert climate. The Station Design Awards judges gave a thumbs up to these aspects.

Fire Station #61’s exterior fits into its community with mid-century modern forms and a warm, neutral palette that’s accented with a vibrant yellow. Although that color struck the Station Design Awards judges as a bit much on first blush, they came around to appreciate the energy that it brings to area spaces.

The station became the county’s prototype for future small-site fire stations, setting a new benchmark for standards on collaboration and field-proven performance.

Architect: MOREgroup