Future-Proofing the Fire Station Estate: Designing for Resilience, Flexibility, and Longevity
With growing populations, ageing infrastructure, and increasingly complex emergencies, fire and rescue services are being pushed to their limits. Many existing fire stations—designed from a different era—can no longer support today’s operational demands or workforce expectations. This emerging challenge is sparking critical conversations among architects and estates teams and has become a central theme at the recent Station Design Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, with the opening keynote ‘Next Generation Public Safety Facilities’ by Dennis Ross and Patrick Stone. Across the sector, a clear shift is underway: we are no longer designing just for the present, but with a long-term vision that considers legal climate action responsibilities and environmental impact.
Future-proofing a fire station isn’t as dystopian as it might initially seem—in fact, it’s quite the opposite when approached thoughtfully. While the integration of advanced technologies like drones, robots, and smart systems can feel impersonal or overly futuristic, the core goal is to prioritize adaptability, wellbeing, and value to serve communities well, now and into the future generations.
At Kilkenny City Fire Station, these future-proofing principles have been embedded at the heart of the project. The proposed design, currently at planning stage, responds to several critical challenges faced by the existing station, located in the city centre on Gaol Road. The site is spatially constrained, limiting opportunities for expansion, modernisation, or integration of new technologies. Urban congestion hampers emergency vehicle access and response times, while the aging infrastructure no longer meets the operational, safety, or wellbeing standards expected of a modern fire and rescue service. These limitations have prompted the move to a larger, purpose-built facility, co-located with a future civil defence building on the outskirts of the medieval city. Chosen with the future in mind, the new site will support long-term growth and more efficient emergency response.
From the outset, the design brief by Kilkenny Fire and Rescue Service management team emphasized flexibility, resilience, and sustainability—not only to meet current operational needs but to anticipate future demands.
Creating environments that attract, support, and retain the next generation of firefighters is central to this vision. Inclusivity is embedded throughout the station’s design, with adaptable restrooms, locker rooms, and a flexible muster bay that accommodates a diverse and evolving workforce.
To promote overall health and wellbeing, the design incorporates biophilic principles—maximizing natural daylight through expansive glazing and strengthening the connection to nature.A landscaped service garden at the front of the building offers a tranquil space for quiet reflection and decompression. Complementing this, terrace areas—accessed directly from the kitchens and enhanced with herb planters—provide additional calming outdoor environments that nurture both mental and emotional wellbeing.
Physical health is also a key priority. The station layout incorporates red, amber, and green transition zones, following the Skellefteå method, with mechanical systems engineered to prevent contaminants from entering clean (green) areas. This is supported by integrated cycle paths, a kinetic studio, and outdoor training tracks, all designed to encourage active lifestyles.
To support continuous professional development (CPD) and mental focus, a dedicated study room offers a quiet space for learning and reflection. Meanwhile, a purpose-designed training tower enhances operational readiness by providing a safe, realistic environment for high-rise drills, ladder operations, and technical rescue training. By locating this facility on-site, travel time is reduced and training frequency is increased—ensuring firefighters can maintain and develop the critical skills needed to serve their communities effectively.
The design includes oversized appliance bays to accommodate larger fire engines, and space has been reserved for future expansion at second-floor level, enabling adaptation to evolving service models or crewing patterns without major structural changes. The mechanical and electrical systems have been designed with adaptability in mind, including EV charging infrastructure to support the transition to electric vehicles. Resilience has also been carefully considered, with backup power systems in place to ensure continued operations during outages and extreme weather events linked to climate change. Sustainability has been a driving force throughout, with the building incorporating air-source heat pumps, solar PV arrays, and enhanced insulation to achieve Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standards.
Recognizing that fire stations are more than just operational hubs, the design embraces a long-term vision of civic integration and public connection. Central to this is the principle of transparent design—“see and be seen.” Glazed views showcase both active appliances and a vintage fire engine displayed in the central lobby, creating a visual link between past and present. The journey continues up the stairwell, where displays honour previous generations of first responders and educate visitors about the fire and rescue service’s mission—fostering awareness, appreciation, and inspiring future generations. On the second floor, a multi-purpose lecture room supports public education, emergency coordination, and community fire safety events, ensuring the station remains responsive to the evolving needs of the community.
Future-proofing fire stations is no longer an abstract ideal; it’s a strategic necessity. It requires long-term thinking, close collaboration between operational and estate teams, and a willingness to invest in adaptability. Whether through smart refurbishments or net-zero-ready new builds, the goal is clear: resilient, flexible, and efficient stations that will serve their communities for decades to come.
After all, the buildings we construct today shape how we respond tomorrow.
For more information, contact HLM Architects at hlmarchitects.com/
By Kathryn Dowse
Kathryn Dowse is an Architect and Project Leader at HLM Architects, specialising in the Justice and Emergency Services sector. Since joining HLM in 2019, she has played a pivotal role in delivering secure, efficient, and human-centred environments that support the vital work of frontline services. Driven by a passion for socially responsive design, Kathryn brings a thoughtful and collaborative approach to every project—balancing complex operational requirements with a deep commitment to sustainability and wellbeing.