Project Summary
As a model for green-building, Alfandre Architecture designed the state-of-the-art, ultra-energy-efficient, net-zero-energy Fire Station for the New Paltz, New York Community. This resilient, $8 million building will use substantially less energy than comparable buildings. This resilient $8 million facility operates on significantly less energy than comparable buildings and reflects the community’s long-standing vision for a modern, sustainable fire station.
“The Fire Department is committed to providing exemplary emergency service to the New Paltz community,” said former Fire Chief Cory Wirthmann. “Constructing an energy-efficient and resilient building strengthens our commitment to environmental stewardship and supports the residents and businesses we serve.”
The need for a new fire station was recognized for many years. After Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, funding was secured through the NY Rising Community Reconstruction Program of the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR). From the outset, community leadership emphasized the importance of sustainability and a goal of approaching net-zero energy. Alfandre Architecture was selected for the project based on our environmentally responsible approach and extensive experience with high- performance, healthy, and fossil fuel-free buildings.
“New Paltz’s local governments and fire department members insisted that our once in a generation station be a cost-effective building, but also energy efficient while fully taking into account the global climate emergency”, said Mayor Tim Rogers. “This required additional effort and patience to make sure we assembled strong architectural, engineering, and construction teams.”
The station features a 10-vehicle, drive-through apparatus bay equipped with an advanced vehicle exhaust system, radiant floor heating, and a dedicated decontamination area with direct outdoor access. Smooth, fast-operating overhead doors ensure rapid response times. A mezzanine level provides indoor training space, a drill area, and a quartermaster zone. Construction systems include insulated concrete form (ICF) walls, a super-insulated roof, energy recovery ventilation (ERV) - for healthy and safe indoor air, as well as air-to-air and air-to-water all-electric heat pumps - for space heating and cooling.
Originally completed in 2022, the building met the requirements of the New York State All Electric Buildings Act well ahead of the 2026 compliance date and meets the requirements of carbon neutrality as required by the AIA 2030 Commitment. With the completion of its solar array, this facility has become the first net zero-energy fire station in New York State, thereby demonstrating what is possible when community vision and sustainable design come together.
The south side of the building accommodates administrative offices, a duty and training room, locker rooms, bathrooms with showers, and a large meeting room with an adjoining kitchen.
Energy efficiency elements include insulated concrete form (ICF) walls from footings to the roof; well insulated roof systems; high efficiency air source heat pump systems with variable refrigerant flow (VRF) distribution to heat and cool the building; advanced air source heat pump systems to provide domestic hot water and radiant heat for the apparatus bay; two energy recovery ventilation (ERV) systems, one in the apparatus bay, bring fresh air in and exhaust stale air. This building, except for the stand-by generator, is all electric including the induction range in the kitchen.
The south side of the building accommodates administrative offices, a duty and training room, locker rooms, bathrooms with showers, and a large meeting room with an adjoining kitchen.
Energy efficiency elements include insulated concrete form (ICF) walls from footings to the roof; well insulated roof systems; high efficiency air source heat pump systems with variable refrigerant flow (VRF) distribution to heat and cool the building; advanced air source heat pump systems to provide domestic hot water and radiant heat for the apparatus bay; two energy recovery ventilation (ERV) systems, one in the apparatus bay, bring fresh air in and exhaust stale air. This building, except for the stand-by generator, is all electric including the induction range in the kitchen.
The apparatus bay, gear room and decontamination spaces are separated from the remainder of the building and each other. The gear and decontamination rooms have separate direct exhaust. These elements, combined with the energy recovery systems and vehicle exhaust systems, create a healthy indoor environment.
The south-facing roof is configured to support more than 250 solar panels capable of generating 110 kilowatts (kW) of fossil fuel free electricity, which is enough to support the equivalent of more than 100 Hudson Valley homes.
The development of the new fire station is meeting today’s operational safety needs for the firefighters and the community, while supporting the climate goals of the New Paltz community. The building will accommodate the needs of the fire department, and the community, for generations to come.
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