Carrying Their Stories Forward: The Lasting Legacy of 9/11 in the Fire Service
Twenty-five years after September 11, the impact of that day continues to shape the fire service. Through remembrance, memorials and the stories carried forward in firehouses across the country, first responders ensure that those who served are never forgotten.
Designing Higher Education Spaces for Workforce Readiness and Regional Impact
From Career Preparation to Regional Impact: Designing CTE Spaces for Higher Education Across higher education institutions, workforce education programs are expanding pathways into essential industries. These programs are becoming central to how colleges and universities respond to workforce needs. They connect academic purpose with student mobility, helping student and adult learners gain skills, credentials and […]
FGMA Advances in National Industry Rankings, Reflecting Continued Growth and Design Leadership
FGM Architects has earned higher positions on two of the architecture, engineering and construction industry's most respected national rankings. FGMA climbed to No. 67 on Architectural Record's 2026 Top 300 Architecture Firms list, rising from No. 76 in the previous year. The firm also advanced to No. 303 on Engineering News-Record's (ENR) 2026 Top 500 […]
Why Firefighters Face a Higher Cancer Risk
When firefighters rush into burning buildings, there are immediate and obvious dangers: collapsing structures, intense heat and suffocating smoke. However, for many firefighters, the most serious threat may not manifest until years after they extinguish the flames. Increasingly, research shows that firefighters face a significantly higher risk of developing cancer compared with the general population, […]
Basics Covered: Law Enforcement Indoor Firing Range Design
Discover what law enforcement agencies need to know as modern firing range design standards evolve. Discover more in the original article published by Officer Magazine on March 26, 2026, written by Paul Peluso, Editor of Officer Magazine. When it comes to designing an indoor firing range, there have been a lot of advances in firearms […]
A First Responder’s Perspective on Fire Station Design with Architect Michael Seppala, AIA
It’s a rare perspective: designing fire and rescue facilities while actively serving inside them. For more than 20 years, Michael Seppala, AIA, has answered calls ranging from medical emergencies to complex technical rescues. “I’m with the Rescue Squad. We respond to medical calls, vehicle crashes, rope and water rescues,” he shared. “It’s a different lens […]
From Halls Hill’s Legacy to Design Excellence: Arlington Fire Station 8 Earns 2025 DESIGNArlington Merit Award
Arlington County Fire Station 8 has received a 2025 DESIGNArlington Merit Award, recognized as a project that thoughtfully integrates design excellence with community context and impact. Presented biennially by Arlington County, the DESIGNArlington program highlights outstanding architecture that strengthens the county’s built environment and contributes to a distinct sense of place. Designed by FGM Architects […]
How City Planning, Zoning and Regulations Shape Successful Architecture Projects
Few topics carry as much long-term impact for a city as its approach to planning and regulation. For municipal leaders, understanding the regulatory process, infrastructure implications and public-engagement landscape isn’t optional — it’s essential to making growth work for communities. Susan Barr brings a unique perspective with her years inside the Development Services Department of […]
Downers Grove Police Department Receives Silver in 2025 Officer Station Design Awards
The Downers Grove Civic Center has received the Law Enforcement Facilities II Silver Award in the 2025 Officer Station Design Awards, recognizing its powerful blend of civic identity, sustainability and community-first design! The new municipal civic center unites the Police Department, Village Hall and School District administration together in one modern facility. The design seeks […]
Station Design: Fire Station Renovation Benefits & Pitfalls
This article was originally published in Firehouse Magazine on October 31, 2025. Joshua Mandell shares several benefits of renovating a fire station rather than building a new one but also warns of pitfalls. Key Takeaways Renovation of a firehouse or any public safety facility typically costs less per square foot than new construction. Sustainability plays […]