STATION #55 Firefighting is often a psychologically difficult profession. Studies have found that anywhere between 7% and 37% of firefighters meet criteria for a current diagnosis of PTSD. Our team decided to confront this problem by designing a fire station that incorporated healing spaces and a sense of refuge throughout the station.
We hope that through the architecture of these spaces the firefighters can find healing and renewal.
This first space is a meditation room where the occupant can watch as the sunlight and shadow slowly move across the back wall. We hope that they can sense the peace of the gentle imperceptible progression of time.
The building is articulated as a series of heavy and light spaces. The heavy spaces such as this bedrooms create a feeling of refuge through the rough, heavy, and cool concrete.
This is the space that greets the fire fighters see as they return to the station after a call. It’s filled with soft natural light and designed to feel light and open.
The East side of the building faces into a public park for the community. The community around the site feels very bland and repetitive so we knew we needed to create a landmark that tied the locals to this place.
X-GEN FUEL
KIT/ DIN/ DAY RR
D/EWEMS
WTR
GYM TSR BAY
BAY
BAY
BAY
BAY
FOUNTAIN
COURTYARD HEAL RR PUB ENTR
BAY JC
L M
X STRG
HIGH AMPHITHEATRE IN POINT HILLSIDE
NATURAL STORMWATER FILTRATION
BACKYARD
LIB. DRM
WATCH ARPO RAD RM.
C.O. IDC DRM
C.D.
DRM
DRM
RR
PUB TRN
E SCBA
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•Solar panels atop shade canopy •Heavy walls have a consistent height to create a datum throughout the project •Air vent for passive heat escape •Columns integrated into mullions for lightest visual weight •Central hypocaust chamber •Central return duct
•Solar Panels •Air vent for passive heat escape •Columns beyond view from interior to give appearance that roof is floating. •Tapered edge to minimize visual thickness •When active AC is enabled, air returns through ductwork. •Air is routed through hollow cores in the wall slabs and open air channel underground to produce a hypocaust effect.
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This detail section cuts through the central hallway and shows the leveled roof planes
ADE 421: Fall 2015 Architectural Studio III
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This detail section cuts through two of the bedrooms and contrasts the construction of the heavy and light spaces.
Students: Travis Chapman Derek Knochel Instructor: Dennis Bree