Date of Award

Spring 4-2025

Degree Type

Capstone Project

First Advisor

Dustin Altschul

Second Advisor

Kimberly Buchholz

Abstract

This body of research and design explores the vital relationship between interior environments and the well- being of firefighters. Challenging the traditional assumptions about how fire station design impacts their health and recovery. Firefighters endure significant physical exertion, psychological stress, and exposure to traumatic events, yet many fire station interiors remain focused primarily on operational functionality rather than personal wellness.

This research underscores the urgent need for fire station design to transcend traditional assumptions and evolve into a model that actively supports holistic recovery. Firefighters require spaces that address the cumulative impacts of their profession, both physical and mental taxation. To this end, the research explores how fire station interiors can be re-imagined to promote recovery across all dimensions—physical, mental, and emotional—through thoughtful and evidence-based design strategies. This research examines the impact of spatial design elements—including lighting, acoustics, air quality, spatial organization, and designated rest areas—for active-duty firefighters. By highlighting the interplay between these factors, the study demonstrates how thoughtfully designed interiors can play a pivotal role in mitigating stress, enhancing physical and mental recovery, and fostering long-term resilience. The project seeks to address the unique challenges faced by firefighters, aiming to improve their health during active service and support the development of healthy coping mechanisms that can extend into retirement.

Through an in-depth analysis of the built environment's influence on the human body and psyche, Internal Flame delves into both the immediate and long-term effects of interior environments on well-being. By doing so, it emphasizes the critical role fire station design in promoting a healthier, more sustainable approach to occupational stress and recovery, offering actionable insights for the creation of environments that prioritize safety, comfort, and support.

Ultimately, this research aims to redefine fire station design as a fundamental component of firefighter well-being, advocating for an architectural shift that prioritizes not only efficiency and functionality but also the physical and psychological restoration of those who serve on the front lines of public safety.

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