The Rotterdam bureau Happel Cornelisse Verhoeven is interested in the concept of "speaking architecture" by Ledoux and Bull, which they embody in their very different projects. The fire brigade on the southern outskirts of Antwerp has provided especially many opportunities for this. It stands on the corner of a busy highway, away from historical buildings. Therefore, the authors could afford an energetic gesture: a bright red building with a small turret immediately makes it clear that this is a fire station - although there is also a noticeable sign that is necessary according to the Belgian SNiPs.
The building is stretched along the road. The structure of the building is clear from its main facade: the garage / depot occupies the first, two-story level, above there are residential and office spaces, in the turret there are technical rooms. Each level is shifted 10 cm from the red line compared to the bottom.
Behind the masonry façade - glazed brick with a contrasting white mortar - you will not notice the difference in the basic material: garage, car space - concrete, upper, "human" part - cross-laminated timber (CLT). Wood is designed to make the interior warm - first of all, psychologically. There are 56 firefighters in the unit, eight people in the shift. There are 15 beds in the bedroom, but each employee has their own mattress. There is also a terrace for relaxation: from the side of the quieter rear façade.
The architects first saw the color for the facade in London - it was one of the old brick walls. And then such a brick in two formats was made specifically for the fire department at one of the Dutch factories.
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1/3 Wilrake Fire Station Photo © Karin Borghouts
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2/3 Wilrake Fire Station Photo © Karin Borghouts
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3/3 Wilrake Fire Station Photo © Karin Borghouts
The environmental components of the project include a solar collector (boiler) and batteries, a heat pump, systems for collecting and recycling rainwater and for fire extinguishing.
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1/3 Wilrake Fire Station Photo © Karin Borghouts
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2/3 Wilrake Fire Station Photo © Karin Borghouts
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3/3 Wilrake Fire Station Photo © Karin Borghouts