Ivy Area Fire Station

The County of Albemarle has partnered with the University of Virginia to adapt an abandoned warehouse into a shared facility serving both public entities. The University will utilize 2/3 of the structure as a central medical supply warehouse and distribution center while the County will convert the remaining 1/3 of the structure into a two bay fire and rescue station. The station design inserts a new mechanical and support mezzanine into the center portion of the two story warehouse. Communal gathering spaces and administrative offices are placed on the first floor perimeter walls for daylight while three bunk/locker/toilet suites and bay support spaces are located along interior walls adjacent to the apparatus bays. An exercise room and locker spaces are placed within a third bay area with potential future plans for conversion into an ambulance bay.

The exterior of the facility receives a much needed facelift that unifies the building’s fragmented aesthetic. An exterior freestanding steel frame spans the façades providing visual interest while also providing some necessary lateral bracing. New metal wall paneling and building signage complement the frames to form the new look for the structure. Emphasizing pragmatic and efficient floor plans, the new design employs economical upgraded materials on the exterior to transform a tired and somewhat dilapidated warehouse into a handsome civic structure.