The new two-story, 6,937-square-foot Palo Alto Fire Station No. 3 replaces the original 1950’s station, doubling its capacity and accommodating modern apparatus and the NFPA best practices for firefighter safety. The station is certified LEED Gold and designed as a Risk Category IV essential services facility. It combines traditional fire station requirements with a modern design aesthetic, complementing nearby civic buildings.
The building is wood-framed with strategically placed structural steel supported on a structural matslab foundation. The first floor contains two drive-through apparatus bays, a PPE cleaning area, a shop, a medical supply room, a watch room/entry, two stairwells, and an elevator. The living quarters, captain’s office, exercise room, and exterior deck area are located on the second floor. The unique facade incorporates contemporary windows with a terracotta and zinc rainscreen system.