This facility received the Career 2 Bronze award in the 2024 Firehouse Station Design Awards. Find the full list of winners here.
Located 25 miles west of the Phoenix area, Station 188 occupies 4.29 acres of the 8.62-acre site, leaving 4.33 acres of open space for a future police station. The site includes public parking, staff parking, an exterior patio, a generator, water retention and water-wise landscaping.
The desert landscape and the surrounding community inspired the design team to create a fire station that blends traditional and modern elements. Durable natural materials and subdued earth tones create a sense of place and pay homage to the area’s architectural heritage.
The station is a prototype design that’s adaptable to future sites. It includes three apparatus bays, eight dormitories, one captain’s dorm, a fitness room, an outdoor cooking area, work/living space and support spaces. Also included in the facility are a mezzanine level, a rear apron canopy and a threestory training tower.
The city commissioned a local artist to create a mural that celebrates the area’s culture and its history of farming.
Hot Zone signage throughout the building allows firefighters to quickly identify each area. Decontamination showers were placed strategically in transition corridors between apparatus bays and living areas to help the crew to remove contaminants from their skin and clothing.
The design team and fire department demonstrated their resilience and dedication by successfully overcoming critical challenges. These included annexation and half-street improvements of Citrus Road, a well-site relocation and construction escalations during a rapidly inflating market.
The state-of-the-art fire station is designed to exceed current industry standards and best practices regarding code compliance, efficiency, safety, cleanliness and disease prevention. Its thoughtful design and strategic features aim to enhance the effectiveness of firefighters and their ability to serve the community.
Architect/Firm Name: Perlman Architects
