When the Dartmouth, Massachusetts Fire Station needed more space to support its firefighters and the community it serves, the project team faced a challenge that went beyond adding almost 12,000 total square feet to the building’s rooms and equipment bays.
“No community wants to have its firefighters in cramped quarters or in any discomfort, given their mission to serve and protect us,” said Christine Shea, Community Sector Leader, Brewster Thornton Group Architects.
The original fire station had become outdated, with limited space forcing firefighters to navigate through apparatus bays and, at times, sleep on floors or in vehicles. The expansion added a second floor to the existing facility, creating the much-needed additional space for firefighters, including a new kitchen, bunk rooms, and offices. During the construction, the crew worked around the apparatus bay, allowing the station to remain operational.
Designed to provide modern and efficient spaces, the expanded facility also needed to fit naturally into the character of its coastal New England surroundings. To achieve that balance, the project team selected Tando Composites’ Beach House Shake® in Atlantica color for the station’s exterior. The silvery gray tones authentically replicate the familiar look of individual bleached oil cedar shingles and allow the fire station to blend in perfectly with the surrounding seaside beach homes.
While the constrained footprint presented a design challenge, the new fire station also needed to provide the necessary space without overwhelming the neighborhood or compromising its coastal character. The design team incorporated architectural elements that reflect the traditional New England style, and this is where the exterior’s authentic looks came into play with realistic wood-grain textures and varied saw cuts.
“Dartmouth is a quaint seaside community, so we weren’t going to design some massive structure that didn’t fit within the town itself,” said Shea. “We pulled inspiration from residences next door and the little shops across the street. At first glance you think you’re looking at similar weathered cedar, until you find out it is a composite.”
According to Roger Blank, Senior Project Manager, AP Whitaker, there was also a big concern whether the installation process would enable the builder to complete the firehouse in the tight timeframe required to get that firehouse up and running to protect the community. Since it installs in panels, the composite shingle presented a fast and simple installation process compared to traditional cedar shingles that are painstakingly nailed in individually.
The construction was carefully phased to allow access to the apparatus bay to ensure the station could continue to respond to emergencies without any downtime. The project also faced freezing temperatures and snow, which pushed some exterior work into the spring. Once exterior installation began, the fast, efficient installation of Beach House Shake helped the project maintain momentum.
Blank also noted that in addition to being subject to moisture damage, traditional wood shingles require regular cleaning, staining and replacement as they weather over time.
“The more we looked into the composite shingle, the more it made sense for the project,” said Blank. “As a municipal building with budgetary concerns, they were looking for the least amount of maintenance possible, but also something durable enough for New England’s harsh winters and wild weather swings throughout the year.”
Durability was a factor that Shea also considered in her recommendation.
“We were trying to find something that was durable, wasn’t super expensive, and looked like individual cedar shingles without actually being shingles,” said Shea. “The town can’t maintain and replace this stuff every few years, so we needed something that was going to last.”
For a project that required a modern, durable facility without sacrificing the character of its New England setting, Beach House Shake provided a composite solution that brought aesthetics, performance, low maintenance, and installation efficiency together.
Learn more about Beach House Shake at www.beachhouseshake.com or visit www.tandocomposites.com for the full catalog of Tando Composites’ products.
