BREATHING ROOM FIRE STATION DESIGN
ABSTRACT With a motive of creating a project that provides respite from the urban desert context, the fire station seeks to create peaceful, quiet, cool spaces. The introverted building does not attempt to draw attention. Spaces and apertures for light are carved from the mass of the building. The windows are shaded from direct sunlight while allowing reflected and diffused light to enter. Dramatic spaces are revealed as you walk below grade through the canyons and inner courtyards. The East wing of the fire station, which is a memorial museum, opens onto Columbus Avenue encouraging pedestrians to meander and ramp down into the public courtyard. The Minimalist structure symbolizes peace and honor to the fire fighters who lost their lives during rescue. The overall motive of the fire station is to give respect and a sense of pride, along with a peaceful environment to the fire fighters who rigorously risk their lives to protect others.
THE FACADE The introverted facade of mid town fire station, speaks less in the exterior and does not attempt to draw attention. As the color ‘White’ absorbs minimal heat, the white concrete panels wraps the entire building creating a breathing room in a chaotic desert city.
← Master Plan ↓ Section Perspective
↑ Legend ← Floor Plans → Concept Development
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THE CANYON
Dramatic changes are reveled as you walk below grade through the canyons that lead to the inner courtyard. The canyon gives respite from the urban desert context acting as an oasis. Openings are maximized here. The rough white concrete faces intends to bounce diffused light into the inner courtyard
THE MEMORIAL MUSEUM Symbolizing peace and honor to the fire fighters who lost their lives during rescue, the memorial museum also intends to give the working fire fighters a sense of pride. It opens onto Columbus Avenue and allows the visitor to meander in a maze like structure which leads to a public courtyard. This public courtyard is warped around with ramps that lead to different levels of the building.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER ‘Context’ is the key factor that drives most of my design ideas. I try to integrate a building design not only with the site surroundings but with the entire urban fabric, creating meaningful spaces for community or the users. I believe Architecture is a gift for people, a potential solution to communal problems, an element that can bind people together and an art that people can cherish. I am Shristi Ojha, Ojha Master’s of Architecture student at Arizona State University and I am originally from Kathmandu, Nepal.