OPN Architects’ Madison offices are located in the historic Fire Station No. 2, the first Madison fire station designed for motorized equipment. When the office opened in 2013, it occupied the north half of the first floor; after three years of growth, OPN expanded into the southern half in 2016. Both renovations respected the historic character of the building while providing vital updates for a modern office space. Defining elements of the fire house are on display throughout. Large red bay garage doors serve as an historic focal point and allow an abundance of natural light to spill into the south end. The original brick and ceiling were left exposed, revealing remnants of the building’s past, such as the location of the fireman’s pole and a hose tower.

The office is designed as an open environment to promote collaboration. All bench workstations face the exterior walls, leaving the interior open for a large custom center island as a place to host informal meetings and review larger samples and drawing sets. Two conference rooms — one seating eight, the other 12 — offer private spaces to greet clients. A new lobby was designed in 2016, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and doors and steel signage, putting the OPN office on display as visitors enter the building.