Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company
The Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company consisted of a 9,000 SF addition to their existing fire station, and complete renovation to the remaining existing 15,000 SF. The addition provides two additional apparatus bays, additional gear storage, and interior training features that satisfy the growing demands of the fire company. The day room, kitchen, office, and administrative areas were renovated and reorganized to improve response efficiency while also allowing connection to a new conference room and fitness area that overlook the new apparatus bays. Adjacent to and overlooking the new bays is a new training center, containing a large assembly space with associated support spaces such as a warming kitchen, storage, and restrooms.
The existing site presented significant grade, ADA accessibility, and visitor access issues. As such, the public entrance was clearly re-defined at the rear of the building near existing parking. Since the first-floor elevation is significantly below grade, a terraced sunken courtyard was created to provide an identifiable approach and communal space. This strategy defines a unique outdoor space for the station personnel by creating an amphitheater-like setting inclusive of a built-in grill and fire pit, which are immediately adjacent to the newly renovated day-room and kitchen. The street-side façade was completely overhauled to better blend into the context of the historic masonry community.
The central stair tower provides a focal point with a standing seam roof and clerestory windows, giving rhythm to a challengingly long facade comprised of many different floor elevations. The training wing steps back subtly, and the landscaping is allowed to curl into the building’s base. Metallic accents of white and dark grey blend with the masonry and engage the cooler gray split face of the courtyard, bringing unity to a complex composition.
