Boise Fire Station #13

Boise Fire Station #13 is the first mass timber fire station in Idaho, marking a milestone in sustainable civic architecture. The City of Boise, Pivot North Architecture, Rice Fergus Miller, and KPFF collaborated with the build/supply team of Core Construction, R&L Framing, and Western Wood Structures to bring the project to life.  

The 10,500 SF station includes three apparatus bays, six sleep rooms, and a satellite police reporting office, which will boost efficiency and communication among the city’s first-responding teams. The roof and some interior walls will utilize CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) panels, produced with locally harvested wood in Montana from SmartLam North America. 

In total, 46 CLT panels were installed, weighing a combined 107,200 pounds, with individual panel weights ranging from 700 to 6,300 pounds. Plan North Engineers provided the mass timber rigging design to facilitate the precise and safe installation of these structural elements.

The apparatus bay serves as a striking showcase of exposed timber, with two hybrid Glulam/Steel trusses at 18' on-center supporting a 60'x80' roof. This roof is further stabilized by 5-ply CLT panels spanning between the trusses and CMU walls. Every element - from materials to spatial configuration - was selected in alignment with trauma-informed design principles, supporting the well-being of the first responders who will use the space daily.  

The building meets the City of Boise Green Building Code, complying with the city’s strategy to provide carbon-neutral facilities by 2050. The station will be the first 100% electric facility and will accommodate eight vehicle charging stations and a future PV Array for electric engines.