This new 20,000 sf fire station is part of the City’s prototype design program. The goal of the program is to build a series of building types derived from a prototype, in this case designed by the DLR Group architects. IDEA, as Architect of Record, then extensively adapted the prototype based on the specific programmatic needs of the intended location. The advantage of the prototype approach is that cost-effectiveness may be greater than individual customized designs. The Engine Company 16 project also benefitted from a rigorous adherence to energy conscious design initiatives that resulted in a LEED Platinum certification, the first for a fire station in Illinois.