In Quarters: San Francisco Fire Department Station 35

This facility received the Career 2 Bronze Award in the 2023 Firehouse Station Design Awards. Find the full list of winners here.

San Francisco’s historic waterfront, which was the debarkation point for the Gold Rush, underwent many transformations in its history. Today, sailing ships have given way to sports venues, marinas, a ferry terminal, offices and entertainment spots.

The importance of fire protection on San Francisco Bay has waxed and waned, but in the aftermath of the 1989 earthquake, one fireboat saved the Marina District and earned the allegiance of all San Franciscans. The need for an updated fire and marine safety facility on the Bay became evident. The resulting design expands the existing Fire Station 35 by creating a floating, resilient command center that both resists natural disasters and aids in immediate recovery.

The new station contributes to the sustainability of the city’s waterfront in significant ways. Much of San Francisco’s waterfront is built on rubble that’s held in place by a vulnerable seawall. In a major earthquake, the seawall could give way, taking much of the shoreline with it. The new structure sits on a steel float that’s anchored by four large pylons. Even with a seawall and shoreline failure, the structure will continue to function as a floating maritime command center. Further, climate change will contribute to rising sea levels. The floating firehouse rises and falls with the tides and climatic sea-level changes, always giving easy boat access to first responders.

Unlike most cities, San Francisco has a separate auxiliary water supply system. The system is supplied in part by Bay water that’s pumped by the city’s fireboats. The new firehouse’s manifold connection to the emergency water system supplies land-based hydrants.

The floating firehouse sits just above sea level, which gives it an understated presence underneath the Bay Bridge. San Francisco’s iconic fireboats tie up proudly next to this sleek addition to the city’s skyline, always ready for the next emergency.

Architect/Firm Name: Alan Kawasaki/Shah Kawasaki Architects