The City of Kenosha needed to transform Bain Elementary School located on an urban, downtown site into a brand-new fire station – today, it’s known as the Bain School Fire Station. It was important to the City, fire department and community that historical architectural features from the school be maintained and integrated into the new fire station design.
The City selected SEH to lead overall project management, architecture and sustainable design, and stakeholder outreach. As project manager and lead designer, the SEH team came up with an innovative 24,000 sq. ft. single-story design that factored in sustainability, performance efficiency and the opportunity to maintain key historical features from the former Bain Elementary School.
Construction management techniques
Stuckey Construction Company (SCC) provided thoughtful and collaborative construction management throughout the construction process.
SCC collaborated with the City and SEH to understand the sequence of construction, in particular some of the structural details, which included completing an 1,800 sq. ft. basement and masonry bearing support for apparatus bays and the construction of the mechanical mezzanine areas.
With the SCC’s team’s effective construction scheduling, innovative construction techniques, and SEH’s proper design of building materials, the City kept the project moving and on target throughout the winter months.
Safety measures
The City and SEH worked with SCC to develop and incorporate a safety plan into the project to meet safety standards, especially given the unique setting for construction at the old Bain Elementary School site.
Protecting the workers and the property in a busy area was a priority throughout construction because of its location in a residential neighborhood where families and children would walk by the site each day.
Community relations
This unique project was important to the members of the Kenosha community. The City and SEH took several measures to provide clear and effective community relations, which started with a thoughtful design preserving many elements of the historic Bain School, including:
Additionally, the City and design/construction team provided thoughtful outreach and community support throughout the project, including:
Environmental awareness
The team’s overall awareness of the historical significance also supported measures that helped protect the environment, including:
Sustainability
Understanding it was a priority of the City, the SEH team designed and implemented sustainable features such as LED lighting and onsite stormwater treatment, high-efficiency heating and cooling, recycled and local materials. Using repurposed and salvaged materials was also a priority, as well as using locally produced materials and high recycle content materials.
Project Name
Bain School Fire Station/Kenosha Fire Station #1
Location
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Client
City of Kenosha
Station Features
Services