Barrett Kent Studio receives Top Block Award for its design of Mountain Brook Fire Station
The Alabama Concrete Association recently presented Barrett Kent Studio with its Top Block Award, which recognizes the use of concrete block in design.
The City of Mountain Brook, with the help of architects at Barrett Kent, reimagined its Fire Station No. 2, replacing the aging 1960s facility with a modern, resilient, and community-conscious design that serves firefighters today—and for decades to come.
The project began with a feasibility study in 2020 to explore rebuilding on the original site, but the team soon discovered that option would be costly and space-constrained.
“The design team identified a more suitable and cost-effective alternative: a nearby two-acre site with an unused church building,” explains Adam Kent, Principal, Barrett Kent Studio. “This new location not only meets current operational needs but also allows for future municipal expansion.”
After a brief pause during COVID-19, design work resumed in 2022 once the city purchased the property. Programming and construction documents followed, with ground-breaking in 2024 and substantial completion in the summer of 2025.
Fire stations are uniquely dual-purpose—both home and workplace.
“The Chief requested that we create a balance to provide a space that would be comfortable for the firefighters, but also functional,” says Kent. “The new facility delivers on that request through a thoughtful blend of practicality and comfort.”
Unique elements include a circulation tower that doubles as both a stair and a training structure, a slide replacing the traditional fire pole, and a window rescue training aid with a repelling anchor. These features allow firefighters to train without leaving the firehouse.
Firefighter health and safety also guided the layout. The building is organized into hot, cool, and cold zones to reduce contamination and cancer risk, supporting a circular workflow for efficient decontamination after emergency responses.
Inside, the design supports both daily life and ongoing readiness. Each firefighter has a private dorm room, complemented by a commercial-grade kitchen, fitness and training rooms, and dedicated decontamination areas. Built for longevity, the station anticipates growth and evolving needs over the next 50 years.
Durability was non-negotiable, and concrete masonry units (CMU) were central to that goal.
“We used block in the training stairs, workrooms, apparatus bay, decontamination rooms, and workout rooms,” Kent notes. “These spaces are used every day, and they need to stand up to the rigorous routine of a fire station.”
Paired with epoxy paint, the CMU walls serve as both a structural and a finished surface—fire-resistant, low-maintenance, and cost-efficient.
“Block offered the most flexibility for the overall cost of the project,” he adds. “It provided a dual use that was a key performance element while keeping costs to a minimum.”
Beyond durability, the material supports operational efficiency.
“Using block walls as a structural element allowed for a clean, easily maintainable surface for the firefighters,” Kent sys. “It paired with our structural roof system to allow for larger spans needed for the apparatus, and it let us attach all of the equipment, utilities, and piping directly to the walls.”
While function and safety drive the design, the station’s exterior ensures it feels at home in its surroundings. The building’s massing, materials, and landscaping reflect the character of nearby homes.
“My favorite part of the design is the exterior,” Kent concluded. “I like how it scales with the neighborhood and blends in with the surroundings, all while functioning as a commercial building. It looks like it has been a part of the neighborhood fabric for years.”
Photography: Art Meripol