On the 1st of June, 2024, a significant milestone was achieved in the City of Plymouth. The completion of Plymouth Fire Station No. 2 was celebrated with an open house ribbon cutting ceremony, marking a chapter in the city’s commitment to safety and emergency response.
This achievement was made possible through the close collaboration between CNH Architects and the City of Plymouth. Their joint effort led to the simultaneous update of Fire Station No. 3 and the design of the new Fire Station No. 2.
The new Fire Station No. 2, a two-story structure, was designed by CNH to replace an older station on the same site. The new facility was repositioned to allow for enhanced and faster road access, thereby improving firefighter response times. Prioritizing firefighter health and safety, the new design included a separate room for gear for a clear separation between the apparatus/decontamination areas and the residence/administrative areas to minimize toxin transmission. The station features a larger dayroom and kitchen, tailored to meet the department’s needs and provide a relaxation space for firefighters. Training elements were incorporated into the design, including a hose drying tower that doubles as a training tower, smoke simulations, and a mezzanine with various styles of training opportunities.
A main challenge was to find room for the new building on the site with improved road access, while ensuring the existing building remained operational. This required maintaining a restrictive building separation between the new and old structures, all while navigating the site’s well house and significant elevation changes. As a solution, CNH designed a split-level facility with separate entrances for staff and public. The construction was phased to keep the existing facility operational until the new building was ready, at which point the old building was demolished.
As architects and interior designers, seeing projects come to life is always a thrilling highlight. We extend our heartfelt THANK YOU to the City of Plymouth and our partners for their collaboration and support in this endeavor. Together, we have made a significant contribution to the safety and well-being of the Plymouth community.
Headquartered in Apple Valley, MN – CNH Architects, Ltd. is a creative, service-oriented firm that provides innovative design solutions for municipal and public, commercial, retail, vehicle, daycare, and animal care facilities. CNH has served clients in the Twin Cities and upper Midwest since 1969.