Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc. (DBF) has been recognized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Chesapeake Bay, with a Citation Award for the design of the Rehoboth Beach Patrol Station and Comfort Station in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

Architect Payton Bridge, AIA, and Landscape Architect Timothy Metzner, PLA, LEED AP ND, represented DBF at the awards ceremony to accept the recognition. During the presentation, one judge’s remarks about the project stood out: “This is a seriously cool project.”

The comment reflects the creativity and thoughtful problem-solving behind a facility that serves both the public and the city’s Beach Patrol while complementing the character of Rehoboth Beach’s coastal community.

The project was completed in collaboration with the City of Rehoboth Beach, EDiS Company, and Delmarva Veterans Builders. Through close coordination with city staff, the Beach Patrol, and the Police Department, the project team worked to develop a facility that addressed the needs of its users while navigating the unique design, accessibility, and site constraints of the surrounding area.

The approximately 5,500-square-foot, two-story building brings together a public comfort station and a dedicated Beach Patrol facility in one thoughtfully designed structure. The first floor features public restrooms, individual changing rooms, family restrooms, an information office, and a medical room equipped to accommodate emergencies. The second floor houses the Beach Patrol’s operational spaces, including a conference room, meeting and break areas, dedicated restrooms and lockers for lifeguards, and the patrol commander’s office.

Additional features support the Beach Patrol’s day-to-day operations, including two ATV garages with access to the boardwalk and a deck overlooking the boardwalk to the east. A mid-level landing above the garages provides storage for kayaks, helping accommodate the equipment and operational needs of the patrol.

A key component of the design process involved balancing the needs of the facility with the surrounding streetscape and community. The team worked with the City, the Planning Commission, and community members to develop a design that respected the viewsheds of neighboring hotels along Baltimore Avenue while integrating the building into its coastal setting. The project also required coordination with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) to elevate construction out of the floodplain while maintaining Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible routes to the public facility through ramps on both the north and south sides of the site.

Construction presented additional challenges due to unforeseen subsurface conditions, including buried debris and poor soil conditions that required significantly more piles than originally anticipated. DBF worked closely with the project team to evaluate pile-driving reports, coordinate daily decisions, and address these conditions while maintaining progress toward the City’s summer deadline.

DBF provided comprehensive architectural, engineering, and survey services throughout the project, including programming, existing building documentation, schematic design, Planning Commission presentations, design development, construction documents and specifications, bidding services, and construction administration. EDiS also served as the City’s owner’s representative, assisting with construction administration.

The Citation Award recognizes the collaborative effort behind a facility designed to meet the operational needs of Rehoboth Beach’s Beach Patrol while providing essential public amenities for residents and visitors. The project demonstrates DBF’s commitment to thoughtful design, community collaboration, and creating functional spaces that respond to the unique needs of the communities it serves.

Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc., is a full-service architectural, engineering, and surveying firm with offices in Salisbury, Easton, and Centreville, Maryland, and Milford, Delaware. For additional information about DBF and its services, visit www.dbfinc.com.