Boston, Massachusetts, is home to an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) station that has garnered international acclaim, not just for its architectural design but for its crucial role in community health and safety. Designed by The Galante Architecture Studio, this station received the prestigious 2019 German Design Award in the Excellent Communications Design—Architecture category, adding to its previous Architects Newspaper Award. While celebrated for its “timelessly clear, straightforward architecture designed entirely with function in mind,” this EMS facility is more than just an award-winning building; it’s a vital center that supports critical community programs, including the Boston Ems Car Seat Program.
The German Design Council’s jury highlighted the station’s functional design and energy efficiency, but beyond aesthetics and sustainability, the core of this facility is its operational effectiveness. Ted Galante, principal at The Galante Architecture Studio, emphasized that the design was driven by Boston EMS’s needs, budget, and schedule, prioritizing function over form. This department-driven approach resulted in a building that operates in a complex way while maintaining durability and longevity.
Alt: Front view of the award-winning Boston EMS station in Massachusetts, highlighting its functional and straightforward architectural design.
The 10,500-square-foot station efficiently houses 11 double-deep apparatus bays, capable of accommodating 20 ambulances, each equipped with vehicle exhaust systems. Although not a 24/7 staffed facility with dorm rooms, it includes essential spaces like offices, a break room, and importantly, an instruction area. This instruction area is where the city actively engages with the community through programs like the Boston EMS car seat program, demonstrating the station’s broader commitment to public well-being beyond emergency response.
John Cushing, Director of Facilities for Boston EMS, clarifies the operational model of the station, emphasizing its role as a central hub rather than a neighborhood dispatch point. Ambulances are strategically assigned to specific geographic areas, reporting to the station for shift changes and logistical support. This centralized approach enhances the efficiency of Boston EMS operations across the city.
The construction of this modern EMS station was a necessary upgrade, replacing a dilapidated garage on the historic grounds of the old Boston Sanatorium. Facing the need for expansion, Boston EMS leveraged the city’s Capital Improvement Program to create this 11-bay facility at a cost of $3.4 million. This investment not only modernized the infrastructure but also enhanced the department’s capacity to serve the community, including providing space for essential community services like the Boston EMS car seat program.
Alt: Security caged skylights on the roof of the Boston EMS station, providing natural light while maintaining security.
A critical design consideration was the security of the facility, driven by the need to store narcotics safely. This led to a hardened, nearly windowless design with few high slot windows and caged skylights. These security measures are integral to ensuring the safe operation of Boston EMS and the integrity of programs supported within the station, such as the Boston EMS car seat program, which benefits from a secure and reliable environment.
The station’s construction features a structural steel frame, metal stud infill, and plywood perimeter walls, clad in standing seam aluminum siding. A three-foot concrete wall around the perimeter adds impact protection. Energy efficiency and durability were also key considerations, with three inches of insulation and a robust built-up asphalt roll roofing system. The interior incorporates abuse-resistant sheetrock with waterproof panels, ensuring longevity and resilience in a high-use environment. These robust features contribute to a stable and safe setting for all EMS operations and community engagements, including the Boston EMS car seat program.
Alt: Interior view of the Boston EMS station’s double-deep apparatus bays, each designed to accommodate two ambulances and equipped with exhaust systems for efficient operations.
Boston EMS operates a two-tier response system, encompassing both Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances. With 27 front-line ambulances, managing around 335 emergencies daily and over 125,000 calls annually, the efficiency of their operations is paramount. The new station directly supports this high operational tempo and also enhances community outreach initiatives like the Boston EMS car seat program, by providing a dedicated space for instruction and engagement.
The Special Operations Division further extends Boston EMS’s capabilities, managing medical coverage for special events and large-scale emergencies with specialized vehicles and equipment, including a mass casualty bus housed at this station. This comprehensive approach underscores Boston EMS’s commitment to city-wide safety and preparedness, with the award-winning station serving as a central point for these diverse operations and community-focused programs like the Boston EMS car seat program.
Alt: Boston EMS Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances, highlighting the department’s comprehensive emergency response capabilities.
Cushing notes the positive public reception of the new station, emphasizing its functional effectiveness and its contribution to departmental operations. While the awards are gratifying, the true measure of success is the station’s ability to support Boston EMS in serving the community effectively. This includes not only emergency response but also proactive community health initiatives like the Boston EMS car seat program, which operates from this award-winning facility, reinforcing its role as a vital asset for Boston.
Alt: Ted Galante, principal of The Galante Architecture Studio, pictured in front of the German Design Award plaque received for the design of the Boston EMS station.
