Hot stuff: Northshore Fire receives national award for station design

It’s only been a few months since the Northshore Fire Department moved into its new station headquarters. Compliments have been steadily rolling in from employees to citizens attending an open house to Fire Chief magazine, who sent a design award the station and architect firm’s way.

By Andy Nystrom • October 25, 2011 4:26 pm
Firefighters from Northshore Fire and neighboring departments train on the Kenmore station's five-level tower.
Firefighters from Northshore Fire and neighboring departments train on the Kenmore station's five-level tower.

nfd

It’s only been a few months since the Northshore Fire Department moved into its new station headquarters. Compliments have been steadily rolling in from employees to citizens attending an open house to Fire Chief magazine, who sent a design award the station and architect firm’s way.

Located at 7220 N.E. 181st St. in Kenmore, the station garnered the bronze award in the 11th annual Station Style Fire Station Design Awards. The program recognizes outstanding architecture and design from fire departments nationwide. This year, there were 37 applicants in the “career” category.

Brian Harris of TCA Architecture noted about his firm’s design work on the station: “We really tried to incorporate their needs and desires with the facility, and balancing that with the whole town-center project.

“Ultimately, we wanted to put together something that was going to be functional and meet their emergency response needs. Something that would fit in well with the community — be a landmark for the community.”

The station is located on a 2.5-acre site that includes a 55-foot high, five-level training tower. The main building houses five main components: public meeting area, administration, training, fire prevention and emergency response operations. The project employed a high-performance building approach with high-efficiency systems, natural lighting and a selection of sustainable yet durable finishes.

For Northshore Deputy Chief Jim Torpin, he’s feeling comfortable in his new office.

“It’s absolutely wonderful to be here, compared to the old station,” he said, noting that closets were turned into offices in their old digs across the street. “I’ve got a window for the first time in seven years. All in all, operationally, it’s going well.”

A panel that included four fire chiefs, one firefighter/architect and three architects judged the competition.

“This is a very competitive process,” said Janet Wilmoth editorial director of Fire Chief magazine in a press release. “You should be very proud to be in the top three of this category.”