Garland Fire Station No. 6

Prominently located along the busy President George Bush Highway, Garland’s new Fire Station No. 6 draws inspiration from the town’s mid-century modern downtown architecture. The design centers around a staff courtyard, with living spaces on one side and a fitness room on the other. The fitness room, connected by a covered patio that doubles as an outdoor workout space, is acoustically separated from noise-sensitive areas of the station.

Key to the station’s functionality is a comprehensive decontamination sequence and intentional internal circulation, designed to enhance firefighter safety and improve response time procedures.

The apparatus bays, visible from the highway access road through a glazed curtainwall façade, showcase the station’s core function. Smooth Ironspot brick and metallic silver accents create a sleek, modern exterior that reflects the speed and efficiency of fire operations. The bold use of black brick, contrasted with silver and red elements, celebrates the iconic fire truck colors and pays homage to the department’s pride in their fleet.

Horizontal projecting courses accentuate the building’s elongated profile, reinforcing its horizontality and creating a sense of balance and groundedness. Projecting brick headers add texture and depth to otherwise plain walls, casting dynamic shadow patterns throughout the day, which enhance the visual appeal and give the structure a unique, evolving character.

As a testament to its successful design, the station may serve as a template for future facilities. Garland Fire Station No. 6 stands as a proud civic presence and is prepared to serve the community for decades to come.