Fire Station 67 in Rancho Mission Viejo, Orange County, envisions a second life for the station as an environmental learning center for the community after ten years.
The fire station has been designed by Wittman Estes, led by architect Matt Wittman, in response to the escalating threats posed by California’s rampant wildfires and the urgent need for adaptable emergency infrastructure.
Spanning 434 m2 (4,667 sf), it introduces a modular design constructed off-site and assembled from 10 rapidly deployable steel modules.
Fueled by a commitment to address the climate crisis, the system tackles the limitations of conventional interim stations.
Built on rigid steel frames with ‘pick pockets’ for infinite rearrangements, the station facilitates easy relocation and reconfiguration. The 3.66-m (12-ft)-wide steel modules and 9.1-m (30-ft)-long trusses create an architectural kit-of-parts structure clad in fireproof corrugated steel siding.
The fire station stands out against the flat landscape, housing two fire trucks, sleeping quarters, a day room, kitchen, dispatch area, and captain’s office. Built around a semi-protected courtyard, it features an aluminum trellis for shade and a steel trellis with illuminated signage, blending muted tones with the surroundings and supporting work, rest, and team building.
The design prioritizes functionality with public areas facing north, active zones oriented east, and quiet spaces in the west. The open-air apparatus bay eliminates the need for energy-intensive exhaust systems, improving air quality while serving as a multipurpose space.
The muted exterior color palette complements the ecosystem, while inside, neutral tones, simple materials, and natural light balance tranquility and functionality.
With its efficiency, adaptability, and commitment to sustainability, Fire Station 67 emerges as a model for future emergency infrastructure.
