State-of-the-art Fire Station Incorporates Diffuse Natural Light

With census metrics identifying the City of Marion as one of Iowa’s fastest growing communities, the city planned to build a third fire station along a major city roadway to reduce response time and help the Marion Fire Department establish a strong civic presence. Fifteen years in the planning, this two-story, 21,000-square-foot facility would also serve as the department’s administrative headquarters. The structure would include a three-story training tower, offices, a physical fitness room, a meeting room, laundry facilities, a lobby, dorm rooms, a kitchen, dayrooms, a decontamination area, storage space and two outdoor patios.

From the project’s inception, a health-centric design remained paramount. With mental health representing a significant factor for firefighter wellness and preparedness, the fire chief tasked OPN Architects with designing the facility to serve as a national benchmark of integrating biophilic design to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder among firefighters. The chief asked to draw from the 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design, a science-backed framework for incorporating natural elements into the built environment. Studies show this can reduce stress, increase cognitive focus and expedite healing.

The main challenge was finding a way to distribute abundant daylight throughout the training and exercise areas while controlling glare and solar heat gain, which would distract and overheat firefighters during critical training and exercise regimens. In addition, daylight needed to be delivered in a way that provided firefighters with privacy during these rigorous activities.

To deliver high-quality natural daylight indoors without sacrificing firefighters’ comfort, the project team integrated Kingspan Light + Air’s UniQuad® translucent wall systems into the building envelope of the training tower. Unlike traditional glazing systems, the UniQuad® translucent wall system delivers high levels of daylight while obscuring direct views, allowing the training tower to remain both well-lit and private.

The UniQuad® panels distribute balanced, natural light throughout the space while minimizing glare and limiting solar heat gain, helping maintain a comfortable interior environment during high-intensity activities. By diffusing daylight rather than allowing direct sunlight penetration, the system reduces visual contrast and glare, supporting focus, safety and overall occupant comfort.

This delivery of dynamic and diffuse daylight directly supports one of the core principles of biophilic design. By creating a naturally lit environment that mimics outdoor lighting conditions, the system helps reduce stress and supports circadian rhythm alignment, both critical to firefighter health, recovery and performance.

In addition to the translucent wall system, the project team integrated numerous additional elements to accomplish a thoughtful biophilic design. This included inserting large windows at strategic locations, allowing daylight in while providing a direct visual connection to the outdoor environment. The team also incorporated manicured landscaping, a retention pond, exterior gathering spaces and materials that reflect natural shapes, features and patterns.

To further protect firefighters’ health, the team implemented strategic sequencing between the bays and living areas, helping mitigate exposure to carcinogens in fire and ash.

Featuring a multitude of intentional biophilic elements, including abundant daylight in key areas such as the training tower, the facility stands as a touchstone for integrating natural elements into the built environment. The station’s comprehensive biophilic design even earned an AIA Architecture Award.

The fire department praises these biophilic elements for achieving a profound effect on firefighters’ physical and mental health, including reducing stress and sharpening cognitive functions.

Debra Krebill, retired fire chief of the Marion Fire Department, is quoted by OPN Architects as stating that “If everybody could work in a place like this, they would be so happy. By being in a building that they feel calm and comfortable in, it helps with relationships as well as their everyday stresses.”

Additional Project Information:

Completion Date: August 2021
Architect: OPN Architects - Marion Fire Station 1 - OPN Architects
General Contractor:  Christner Contracting
Distributor/Installer: Mid-American Glazing Systems