A3C designed the Ann Arbor Fire Station No. 4 and its site for maximum energy efficiency throughout—all the energy needed to operate the building is generated on site. Daylight harvesting, LED technology, and controls are used to minimize lighting loads. Ground source heat pumps and efficient building envelope design reduce mechanical loads. Building electrification, resilient backup power, and photovoltaic arrays meet the station’s modest power requirements.

This state-of-the-art fire station will not only be the city’s first carbon-neutral facility; it will be the first net-zero fire station in the state of Michigan, aligning with the City of Ann Arbor’s A2ZERO sustainability goals. In addition, Fire Station No. 4 will benefit from current advancements in design thinking for safety and inclusiveness. It is programmed as a “hot zone,” designed to reduce firefighter exposure to carcinogens. Dormitories, restrooms, and locker rooms are designed for gender neutrality. The overall design is consistent with principles learned from A3C’s vast healthcare practice: utilizing natural light, color, and views toward nature to promote health and wellness.