Economy of Means, Bold Design: Fire Station No. 48

Civic Building, Fire Stations, Legacy Project

City of San Antonio Fire Station 48, a bold stroke of “fire engine red” metal cladding on a hill, is one of our favorite examples from recent archives. By pushing past expectations while being mindful of budget and building lifespan, we were able to give back to the community with a signature building.

First responders perform a vital public service in protecting community safety and wellbeing. FS48 is home to central command for fire and medical emergency services for its sector of the growing Northeast corridor of San Antonio. The station houses equipment bays for fire and EMS, as well as the dormitories and living spaces that create a second home for firefighters. The building is situated prominently on a hillside site, and tall pylons with bold vertical signage make it visible, day and night, to the brisk local traffic. Fire engine height clearances, wide turning radii and loads dictated setbacks and overall layout of the site.

As sometimes happens, the budget constraints and precise operational requirements of Fire Station 48 led to an economy of form, and a stronger contemporary expression in our design solution. The building’s exterior stonework and metal panels are long-wearing and sustainable choices for the use case, and visual integrate with local context. A natural landscape feature is used to contain runoff, mitigating environmental concerns related to construction over the Edward Aquifer Recharge Zone.