Climate-Conscious Civic Design
Norfolk Fire Station
Norfolk, MA
A New Chapter for Public Safety in Norfolk
Designed to meet the evolving needs of the community, the new Norfolk Fire Station replaces an outdated facility that no longer supported modern emergency services. The project began with a collaborative programming effort and a full evaluation of the previous building – formerly shared with the police department, which had since moved to its own dedicated space. While renovation and addition options were explored, they proved insufficient in addressing operational needs and long-term goals, and replacement emerged as the most practical and cost-effective solution. Nearby structures provided an architectural palette for design inspiration, and the new firehouse, constructed behind the existing station while yielding to the department’s functional priorities, inherently enables efficient, safe, and resilient operations.
Following a New, Net Zero “Pathway”
Sustainability and performance were central to the design approach. The facility is fully electric and Net-Zero Energy Ready, reflecting the Town’s commitment to environmental responsibility and long-term cost savings. A rigorous design process led to eligibility for the utility’s financial incentives and a calculated Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of approximately 34.5 – a remarkable and previously unattained figure for a 24/7 emergency response building in a northern climate. Partnering with Eversource and MassSave, the Norfolk Fire Station thus became the first public safety facility in the region to be accepted into the MassSave Pathway 1 ZNE-Ready program and is the first in the queue to potentially leverage its associated incentives and secure a significant financial rebate. As a model for sustainable public infrastructure and ROI optimization this project sets a new standard for energy-conscious civic design in New England.
