The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has granted OPN Architects a 2026 Committee on the Environment (COTE) Top Ten Award for their design of Marion Fire Station No. 1.

COTE, the most well-known award program for sustainable design excellence in the industry, was established on the premise that great design requires sustainability and vice versa. Every year, the AIA's Committee on the Environment honors ten projects that demonstrate how architects improve the health and welfare of communities and the environment by fusing great performance with excellent design in ten important areas. COTE projects, which are awarded by the biggest and most powerful network of architects and designers in the nation, are known for fusing outstanding performance with striking design.

On June 10 in San Diego, CA, OPN received recognition at the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design (AIA26) Awards Gala.

Since its beginning almost thirty years ago, Marion Fire Station No. 1 has become one of only four Iowa projects to receive the national honor. It is the first and only fire station to receive this honor.

The AIA Framework for Design Excellence's strict sustainability requirements for social, economic, and ecological value are met by the all-electric fire station, which was challenged by the City of Marion to create a station that would serve as a national standard for how biophilic design can lessen PTSD in firefighters. The station makes use of geothermal systems, biophilic design, and thoughtfully arranged spaces. The station enhances resilience in their expanding neighborhood, lowers hazardous exposure and promotes the wellness of firefighters through integrated civic and environmental performance.

The Marion fire station has also been recognized with numerous international awards, including:

• 2024 Chicago Athenaeum International Architecture Award
• FIERO Honor Award, Health and Wellness Award in 2024
• 2023 Stephen R. Kellert Biophilic Design Award
• First place in the Public Building (Built) category from the 2023 Rethinking The Future Awards
• Government Building of the Year in the 2023 Archello Awards
• Special Mention in the 2023 Architizer A+ Awards
• National Honor Award by the American Institute of Architects in 2024
• Justice Facilities Review Award in 2023

Other AIA local and regional chapter awards include:

• Excellence in Design, Honor Award, American Institute of Architects, Iowa Chapter (2021)
• Excellence in Design, Honor Award, American Institute of Architects, Central States Region (2022)
• Impact Award, Honor Award, American Institute of Architects, Iowa Chapter (2023)

The fire station was featured in the March 2023 Issue of “Architectural Record,” and has been published in “Contemporary Architecture: Masterpieces around the World” (Braun, 2022). It was also featured in the second edition of Terrapin Bright Green’s “The Economics of Biophilia” (2024).