Cumru Fire Department
The proposed fire station for the Cumru Fire Department is a 24,800 SF facility situated in rural Berks County Pennsylvania. MW Studios was tasked with providing a new centralized station, large enough for the fire department to consolidate their apparatus fleet, which was previously scattered across multiple substations due to nonuniform unplanned growth. Apart from making sure enough space was afforded for the consolidated apparatus fleet, a heavy emphasis on turnout gear storage, ventilation, and the promotion of appropriate decontamination protocol is emphasized in the building program and floor plan layout. Adequate provisions were applied to the living program, with an open kitchen/dayroom layout, fitness room, and seven live-in style bunk rooms. Additionally, five offices, conference room, study, and 60-person meeting room block out the backbone of the stations operational and administrative needs.
In partner with building program the single-story structure utilizes a mixture of steel and exposed heavy timber construction, paying homage to the regional steel industry and surrounding rural land scape. Environmentally the building has been designed to run off a natural gas emergency backup generator, a super insulated thermal envelope to reduce heating/cooling needs, LED light package, energy efficient mechanical units and an open clerestory volume that lines the main corridor, provide natural lighting to over 95% of all interior spaces. Collectively the program and amenities afforded in this new station will provide the department the ability to adapt and serve the surrounding community for years to come.
