"Shields of Tradition"
Fire Station 3

Denton, Tx

Our approach to Shields of Tradition was to integrate and complement the values of the service members at Fire Station 3. As a functional statue it allows those who serve at station 3 to join the history of the station for the local community to appreciate and engage with for generations to come.

Project Details

Budget - $65,000
Appraisal Value - TBD
Materials - Steel, Stainless Steel, HDPE Marine Grade Plastic, Machined Aircraft Aluminum.
Construction Method - Waterjet and Laser cutting, CNC machining, Welding, Powder Coated Finish.
Our give back approach ensures future shields can be custom ordered and individually processed at no additional charge to the station and its members.

Concept Model

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Inspiration and Process

Battalion Chief David Boots took the time to show us the facility, site for the sculpture and most importantly explain the history of Fire Station 3. Having served Station 3 for over a decade, Boots knew the station and its traditions back to front. After learning just how rooted the station was in their traditions, we knew this would be a cornerstone to the design concept.

The unit at Station 3 has taken remnants from the previous station house and repurposed them into several sections of the building, furniture and other components. Everything serves multiple purposes, so the question was, how can the art, as well, serve multiple purposes for the station to incorporate it into their traditions?

Large rectangular stacking forms were chosen to complement the architecture as well as symbolize the foundations of history and building blocks to future traditions. Symbols of Fire Station 3 were integrated into these forms to further represent it as site specific to the station house.

Integration to serve multiple purposes and traditions. We wish for the work to engage with those who serve at the station by creating a way for each service member to personally add to the ever growing history of the station. By creating slots for helmet shields the concept is to incorporate all of the previous members, but also a place for future members to add their own shield at the time their service transitions or ends.

Function and Form

"The sculpture was finished on time, on budget, and the staff was a pleasure to work with. Brandon helped create a truly amazing sculpture that has captured the essence of our fire department history for decades to come."