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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 in collaboration with MCN Build, Urban Engineering, Ehlert Bryan and Brinjac Engineering, the new three-story, four-bay station supports firefighter health, safety and readiness while reinforcing its role as a civic anchor.
The project was shaped through extensive community engagement, including more than 30 public meetings that brought together residents, historians, firefighters and descendants of the original Halls Hill Volunteer Fire Department. This sustained dialogue helped ensure the new station reflects the values, stories and aspirations of the community it serves.
Station 8 carries a powerful legacy. Established in 1918 by Black volunteer firefighters who protected the Halls Hill neighborhood during segregation, the original station became a place of safety, connection and community pride. Today’s design honors that history wtih a fritted glass mural that reflects the station’s history; virtue words representing the station’s character and the community values are integrated into the architecture; and the “Beacon of Light” stair tower glows red during emergency calls.
“This station really embodies the county’s commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency and, most importantly, honoring its past,“ said Greg Emanuel, Director of Environmental Services at Arlington County Government.
Fire Station 8 has achieved LEED Gold certification, demonstrating how high-performance design can translate sustainability goals into measurable results.
Together, these elements create a facility that strengthens community trust while preparing firefighters to serve Arlington for generations to come.
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