Engine 32 ½ – Public Art Fabrication for Seattle’s Fire Station 32
Engine 32 ½ is a permanent public sculpture commissioned in 2017 by the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, designed to complement the renovation of West Seattle Fire Station 32. As architectural integration was essential to the project, Engineered Artworks collaborated closely with the architectural firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and city representatives to determine the ideal dimensions and site placement.
To reflect the fire station’s vertical design, the sculpture aligns with the hose tower and features functional headlights that illuminate the building’s public entrance. Additionally, the fire station’s LEED Platinum certification called for a thoughtful integration of sustainable design with artistic vision.
Conceptually, the piece was inspired by a 1920s wooden toy fire truck, gifted to the firehouse by a beloved community member. As a result, Engine 32 ½ is a large-scale fabricated steel sculpture that captures both nostalgia and civic pride. Its extending aluminum ladders suggest forward momentum, echoing the urgency and dedication of Seattle’s first responders.
This public artwork exemplifies sculpture fabrication, community collaboration, and site-specific design. It is one of several civic commissions where Engineered Artworks demonstrates deep experience in metal fabrication and complex architectural installations.
Lead Artist: Sean Orlando
Fabrication: Engineered Artworks
Transport: Artifact Logistics
Commissioned by: Seattle Office of Arts & Culture
Specs:
Painted steel, aluminum, operational headlights/signal lights
Dimensions: 26′ x 4′ x 5′