In Southern California’s Rancho Mission Viejo (RMV), Fire Station 67 has been designed and constructed as a prefab, modular build—enabling faster completion and future reconfiguration.
Designed by Seattle-based Wittman Estes, the 4,667-sf station was prefabricated offsite as 10 modules that were then assembled onsite. The offsite fabrication and rapid assembly led to a streamlined design, documentation, and permitting process. This approach allowed for parallel site development work in California and factory construction in Nevada, resulting in a construction timeline of six months.
Fire Station 67: Modular System
The modular system also allows for relocation and reconfiguration. The sturdy, durable steel modules can be easily transported and rearranged for possible future uses, such as an environmental learning center for RMV.
Fire Station 67 includes a vehicle bay for two fire trucks, six sleeping rooms, a day room, kitchen/dining room, dispatch/workspace, and a captain’s office. The 12-foot modules were assembled around a shaded, semi-protected central courtyard.
Construction Strategy
The building configuration enables the firefighters to serve the public quickly while also feeling calm and privacy. The north-facing public entry, captain’s office, and dispatch room face the neighborhood. The more active areas, including break room, kitchen, and fitness rooms, face east toward the firetrucks. And the sleeping rooms and bathrooms are located in a quiet zone in the west. The firetruck bay is painted bright red, while the interior spaces have a neutral, tranquil palette.
In response to climate change and the rising risk of wildfires, the prefab structure is clad in fireproof, corrugated steel siding. To improve indoor air quality, Wittman Estes designed an open-air apparatus bay to bring in fresh outside air and eliminate the need for large exhaust machines.
On the Building Team:
Clients: Orange County Fire Authority and Rancho Mission Viejo
Architect: Wittman Estes
Interior designer: Birsel+Seck
Structural engineer: DCI Engineers
Landscape architect: Land Concern
Civil engineer: Fuscoe Engineering
GC: Xtreme Cubes
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Aug 28, 2020
2020 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
The 2020 Giants 400 Report features more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Healthcare Facilities | Aug 13, 2020
New VA care center showcases the agency’s P3 approach to financing healthcare facilities
Clinic programming enhances patient privacy.
Sustainability | Aug 11, 2020
Sustainability is key for Denver Water’s modernized campus and distribution system
The utility is showcasing a new admin building and a water reuse plan that’s a first for the state.
Cultural Facilities | Jun 19, 2020
A new ULI report chronicles the depaving of America
Fifteen examples of how parks and green spaces emerged from parking lots, garages, and underpasses.
Green | Mar 9, 2020
BuroHappold commits to all new building projects achieving net-zero carbon by 2030
The engineering firm also launched a long-term partnership with ILFI.
Giants 400 | Jan 23, 2020
Government Buildings Sector Giants Report for 2019 [Updated]
AECOM, HOK, Jacobs, and Turner Construction top the rankings of the nation's largest government buildings sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
Government Buildings | Nov 13, 2019
The Washington Monument reopens with a new visitor center
This is one of several landmark restoration projects underway in the nation’s capital.
Government Buildings | Apr 17, 2019
St. Petersburg’s police headquarters is a transparent yet secure government facility
Harvard Jolly designed the building.
Industrial Facilities | Mar 10, 2019
The burgeoning Port San Antonio lays out growth plans
Expansions would accommodate cybersecurity, aerospace, and defense tenants, and help commercialize technologies.
Government Buildings | Feb 27, 2019
Design unveiled for U.S. embassy in New Delhi
Weiss/Manfredi is designing the project.