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.
![Modular fire station, Rancho Mission Viejo’s Fire Station 67](/sites/default/files/inline-images/WE_Lehoux_FS67_046_lr.jpg)
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.
![Modular construction plan of fire department](/sites/default/files/inline-images/FS67_Modular%20Strategy_1.jpeg)
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
![Modular fire station, Rancho Mission Viejo’s Fire Station 67](/sites/default/files/inline-images/WE_Lehoux_FS67_008.jpg)
![Rancho Mission Viejo’s Fire Station 67](/sites/default/files/inline-images/WE_Lehoux_FS67_020.jpg)
Related Stories
| May 11, 2014
Final call for entries: 2014 Giants 300 survey
BD+C's 2014 Giants 300 survey forms are due Wednesday, May 21. Survey results will be published in our July 2014 issue. The annual Giants 300 Report ranks the top AEC firms in commercial construction, by revenue.
| Apr 29, 2014
USGBC launches real-time green building data dashboard
The online data visualization resource highlights green building data for each state and Washington, D.C.
| Apr 28, 2014
Welcome to the Hive: OVA designs wild shipping container hotel for competition
Hong Kong-based OVA envisions a shipping-container hotel, where rooms could be removed at will and designed by advertisers.
| Apr 25, 2014
A radiant barrier FAQ: Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask
There are many examples of materials developed for the space program making their way into everyday life and radiant barriers are just that. SPONSORED CONTENT
| Apr 23, 2014
Developers change gears at Atlantic Yards after high-rise modular proves difficult
At 32 stories, the B2 residential tower at Atlantic Yards has been widely lauded as a bellwether for modular construction. But only five floors have been completed in 18 months.
| Apr 17, 2014
6 details that can throw off your schedule
In 1997, Apple told us to “Think Different.” So we did. We thought about what could happen if the world went mobile, if information was boundless, if we could carry our office in our back pocket. We’ve grown to love different and to expect change. And when it comes to Apple products, that’s not such a bad thing. When it comes to your building order, however, it’s not nearly as appealing.
| Apr 9, 2014
Steel decks: 11 tips for their proper use | BD+C
Building Teams have been using steel decks with proven success for 75 years. Building Design+Construction consulted with technical experts from the Steel Deck Institute and the deck manufacturing industry for their advice on how best to use steel decking.
| Apr 2, 2014
8 tips for avoiding thermal bridges in window applications
Aligning thermal breaks and applying air barriers are among the top design and installation tricks recommended by building enclosure experts.
| Mar 31, 2014
Tips for creating a competitive bid using codes and loads
Landing a project feels like winning a prize, sort of like finding that forgotten $20 bill in the pocket of a pair of jeans you haven’t worn in a while. But living on the “chance” of winning a job isn’t a great way to pay your electric bill. So, how do you swing the chances in your favor?
| Mar 26, 2014
A sales and service showcase
High Plains Equipment, a Case IH dealership in Devils Lake, N.D., constructs a larger facility to better serve its customers.