Project Info:

The unique feature of this facility was the combination of the administration and headquarters function. This first phase of a long term building program, the Lester L. Williams Fire Department Complex included 43,000 SF of new construction on an undeveloped 13-acre site. The new building marked a milestone in the Colorado Springs Fire Department's history – the first time administration and training functions were located within the same facility.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department places a high value on its relationship with the community and sought to reinforce that connection with the new building. This was accomplished by creating a 3,000 SF museum along the prominent public side of the building to house the department's collection of historic artifacts. The low-e glazing protects the memorabilia while providing a "lantern" effect at night. Within a limited budget and challenging site constraints, the design team consolidated multiple Fire Department functions and produced a striking design that elevates the department's training and administrative functions profile within the city.

Budget restrictions resulted in a hierarchy of design elements. Materials could not be extravagant, yet the front elevation received a higher level of finish for optimum visual presence. Training, a typically "dirty" component of the Fire Department, was relegated to the back of the facility, yet the 4-story training tower in the very center of the 13-acre site is the main focal point for the site. Sensitive incorporation of this vital training element was critical to its acceptance by the neighborhood community.