Lonardo, along with ABT Department Chair, Phil Marks, met with Chief Hendrikson and Deputy Chief, Russell McGillivray, and learned that the town was contemplating the construction of a new state-of-the-art fire station. Chief Hendrikson asked if the ABT students were interested in participating in the design of the new facility.With many years of experience in designing fire stations under his belt, Mr. Lonardo was eager to have his students in course ABT 235, Building Design & Technology IV, get involved with the project. Although upgrades have been made over time, the existing fire station had been in operation since 1914.  The students were charged with designing a new fire station and emergency operations center for the East Greenwich Fire District.Albert Braynen, Mathew Carpenter, Dylan Carpino, Sabatino Giordano, Richard Lavery, Felix Lei, Ivandro Pires, Ky Plamondon, and Victor Santiago were given the specifications of the project. They had to complete a site analysis using maps, photos, sketches, and personal interpretation. Documentation of important site features had to be included, such as emergency access, public and private space, landscape features and topography, circulation (both vehicular and pedestrian),edge conditions (such as buildings, vegetation, and water), sun, wind, light, existing surrounding uses, and future expansion.

Upon completion of the project, the ABT students presented to a jury of East Greenwich Fire Department officials. Each of the unique designs had to include a site plan, floor plans, general construction method, elevations, building materials and codes, and much more. The jury included Fire Chief Hendrikson, Deputy Chief McGillivray, Commissioner Stephen Bartlett, Captain Thomas Mears, and Administrative Assistant Pamela Johnson. This team was so impressed by the professionalism of the students and their architectural concepts that they hope to incorporate some of the elements into the final fire station design.

As Lonardo stated, “We were thrilled to have this opportunity for our students to utilize the knowledge and skills they have acquired at New England Tech for such a worthwhile project. The students gained valuable experience as they worked from architectural concept to the unveiling of their unique design. We all felt a great sense of pride giving back to the community.”

by Linda A. Dionne
Media Relations Specialist, New England Tech