Fire Station Doetinchem

Project Description

A new home for the Fire Brigade : Fire Station Doetinchem combines
sustainability , functionality and an attractive working and living environment
in a green oasis

The Fire Brigade Achterhoek West Doetinchem is 24 hours operational and the building houses
a mix of functions for working, living and sleeping facilities. A spatial development with various
vistas makes the organization clear and transparent, allowing visitors a glimpse of the dynamic
environment of the fire station. The robust brick building is designed as a villa in the green and
has obtained an A+ energy label. It is embedded in its ecological structure, situated next to an
important route for bats. Functionality, sustainability and environmental integration have been
the leading design themes during the process.

Villa in green surroundings

The Fire station in Doetinchem is designed as a villa, integrated in the landscape. It is a green
oasis situated along side the major thoroughfare in Doetinchem. The horizontally oriented building
is surrounded by majestic trees and has clear, crisp lines and surfaces. The grass of the
surrounding countryside is pulled over the building in a large slope and evolves into a series of
roof gardens and patios on top of the sheltered area for the fire trucks. Because of the slope, the
exercise facilities are hidden from view, thus guaranteeing a green environment.

Transparent

The Fire station houses several functions with a variety of appearance and atmosphere:
the sheltered area for the fire trucks, the workshops and car wash on the ground floor, the
bedrooms on the first floor and on the upper layer the offices, work-café, fitness room and living
areas. Because of the high transparency, there is an abundance of daylight coming into the
building. The big windows ensure panoramic views of the green surroundings. The various vistas
create different views and unexpected perspectives; For instance the sheltered area for the fire
trucks can be viewed from the locker room on the first floor and from the hall the Fire trucks can be
seen.
A striking feature of the interior is the majestic staircase that connects all floors and functions.
Along side the staircase is a light wooden wall which folds around the service unit on the top
floor. The office floor is fully developed in accordance with the new way of working, with open
office spaces and flexible furnishing. Cohesion and identity are created by a variation in
materials: glass, brick, wood, embossed concrete and natural patterns. On the upper floor roof
gardens, patio’s and terraces provide the building of its specific sculptural expression, creating
outdoor spaces with their own specific identity. Huge cantilevers form a sheltered area for the fire
trucks, anchoring the building in its surroundings.