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Signal Mountain Fire Station #2

Signal Mountain, Tennessee

The mission for the project was to design a functional 21^st Century Fire Station while capturing the essence of the town’s original fire hall and fitting into the Town’s architectural aesthetic.  In fact, the front elevation recalls architecturally the no longer existing fire hall which was built in the early 20^th Century.

The new facility was zoned into three areas.  The front of the building was Administrative, Training and the large multipurpose community room which could be used for neighborhood meetings. The Central part of the footprint houses the apparatus bay and related shop and storage areas. The rear part of the footprint houses the Residential areas which contain sleeping rooms, toilets, lockers, Kitchen and day room. There are rear views that take advantage of the beautiful topography and include views from bedrooms, day room, and kitchen areas.

Architecturally the front fenestration recalls the earlier historic fire station that had been lost decades earlier. The community room glass was designed to recall the location of the garage doors for the earlier fire station. The front porch, the original brick gables, the use of various materials including brick, stucco, and siding were all incorporated as design elements in the new structure.

The new facility features:

• Apparatus storage with four individual entrances to the facility. An overall depth of approximately 100’ was required for large/multiple vehicles.
• Gender-equitable living/sleeping areas to accommodate concurrent 24-hour occupancy of 3-6 personnel.
• Adequate office space for Fire Department officers, Police Office, and Training Area.
• A multi-purpose training/meeting space with seating for 30-45 people to be also available for community functions.
• Specialty spaces to support Fire Department operations: SCBA maintenance room, EMS supply, and decontamination, climate controlled turnout gear storage, tool/workshop area.