The Miller Hull Partnership has unveiled Fire Station 52 in San Diego, the region’s first to host an all-electric fire apparatus and a model for sustainable civic design.

The 1,347-m² (14,500-sf) facility addresses a growing service need while supporting San Diego’s Climate Action Plan, incorporating low-carbon systems and on-site renewable energy.

Built on a steep site with more than 6 m (20 ft) of grade change, the station required creative planning to accommodate a three-bay, drive-through layout. The design carves into the slope to create a flat circulation zone, with a compact two-story structure that bridges over the southern drive aisle. This approach maximizes space efficiency while minimizing ground-level footprint.

The station is organized into three distinct zones: red, yellow, and green, separating equipment, gear, and living areas. This zoning ensures that potentially carcinogenic materials brought back on PPE, tools, and vehicles are isolated and safely managed.

The roof supports on-site photovoltaics (PV) that supply 10 percent of the building’s energy needs but are designed to scale up for full electrification.

The envelope is highly efficient, and material selection was guided by a low-carbon ethos, supporting the city’s emissions reduction targets.