Carmel Clay Community Building

The 42,125 SF Carmel Clay Community Building project was conceived as a unique combination of Public and Administrative spaces. Additionally, its location adjacent to downtown Carmel meant that the appearance needed to meet the elevated requirements of Carmel and connect with existing pathways such as the Monon Trail.

A Museum Suite on the first floor serves to educate the public on the history of the Carmel Fire Department and teach fire/neighborhood safety to children. The Fire Buffs museum houses many old apparatus and fire fighting equipment that the CFD has employed throughout the years. The Fire Buffs is on the very location of the first Carmel Fire Station. In fact, many design cues from the original fire station were incorporated into the appearance of the new building. The S.A.F.E. interactive exhibit educates children through realistic demonstrations. A townscape in miniature has been constructed to provide an engaging backdrop for the educational programs, with a viewing area for parents to observe their child’s progress.

The second floor houses the Carmel Fire Department’s administrative staff, which has been relocated from Station 341. This new administrative suite enhances staff operations by providing more space and improved functionality. A second benefit was that it created more room in Station 341 for a concurrent renovation to improve operations at that station. Coordination of the two projects was crucial to maintain the Carmel Fire Department’s ability to function and respond to emergencies.

The third floor contains a spacious foyer, entrance hall, food-warming kitchen, bathrooms, and a large meeting space that is available for Fire Department, local government, and public usage. Connection via voluminous open stairway is provided to an expansive fourth-floor rooftop patio that gives sweeping views of downtown Carmel. Large social gatherings, such as community meetings and wedding receptions, are envisioned in these spaces.