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New Minquas Fire Station Design Receives Honorable Mention in Firehouse Magazine

New Minquas Fire Station Design Receives Honorable Mention in Firehouse Magazine
November 1, 2014

Bernardon was recently acknowledged in the 2014 “Station Design Awards” issue of Firehouse Magazine for their notable work on Minquas Fire Company No. 2 – Station #46.

Minquas Fire Company No. 2 – Station #46 has courageously provided volunteer and career fire and EMS services for the Chester County community for over 106 years. Having identified the need to improve services to a growing community, Minquas Fire Company sought to relocate Station #46 to a site that was formerly an abandoned municipal dump. Their commitment to the health of their community was underscored when hazardous materials and poor bearing conditions were discovered on-site and the associated cost burden was embraced as a sign of their stewardship to the community that has supported Minquas Fire Company’s growth.

The linear design of the 23,000 square foot fire and EMS station extends from the mass of the precious antique room and symbolizes the station’s growth from a single engine bay. The antique room mass is intentionally dominant to emphasize the Company’s presence and the engaged tower gestures to the public entrance. Exterior materials and colors were selected for the quintessential association of emergency response buildings.

Administrative office space is concentrated in an eastward “expansion” from the antique room. Offices for leadership personnel are intentionally large to accommodate wall beds for disaster situations. Active training room and day room spaces are located immediately adjacent to the apparatus bays and convenient to the turn-out gear in such a way that response personnel are not forced to circulate through the apparatus. The interior of the apparatus bays is kept bright with high reflective walls and ceilings to minimize apparatus and equipment shadows and other response hazards.

Dorm rooms are located in the most private area of the station away from social spaces, and buffered from the apparatus bays by service functions. A separate outside entrance to the dorm is provided to promote an environment that reflects a genuine respect for personal space and independence.

The Digital Edition of the “Station Design Awards” issue is available at www.firehouse.com.

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