FIRE STATION FOR THE SRI-CHARLEROI
Considering the specific characteristics of the site, the project has simple, contemporary, compact and functional architecture (flow of people and vehicles) while offering an iconic and recognisable form, compatible with the resolutely tertiary character of the environment.
Easy access to the nearby motorway is essential for the station's location. It is therefore crucial that selection of this site is reinforced by the fast and safe transport of vehicles and people in case of emergency. Consequently, all efforts are made in order to reduce response time in the fire station.
The location of the building is the result of a study aimed at combining the responses to the constraints given for the site: large drop, neighbourhood, driveways, low ground bearing, wind direction, solar orientation, etc.
The location of the building, in the upper and flattest part of the ground, limits the debris and backfill associated with the construction. The two existing driveways, the first used for emergencies and the second for personnel and visitor access, are positioned to limit the length of the roads. The hollow made by access to the south creates the entrance to the building at ground level (pedestrians, bicycles and cars), as well as an area accessible to delivery vans. Access to the west, which is higher, establishes level 1 of the building as the emergency level. This level is surrounded by an emergency ring road, to allow each truck to leave independently from the others by a sectional door allotted to it.
The true backbone of the project is the north-south axis, naturally indicated by access to level 0. This is the main horizontal circulation, punctuated by all vertical circulations. It defines the building’s orientation. The exercise tower is visible from this axis, situated across the emergency road at the north-south crossroad and the axis of the emergency vehicle access road. It is surrounded by a concrete exercise area to the north, which allows trucks to easily turn around the tower and to simulate fires. The site report suggests establishing the area as a place for fire drill exercises to the north of the field, in order to avoid smoke drifting toward neighbouring houses.
The south-east area follows the uneven ground in order to limit, as much as possible, clearing and construction on this green site. It naturally joins the outdoor sports field, established as a continuation of the delivery area. The site is fully secure, thanks to a continuous barrier, with only three separate and secure access points: the "emergency" access point, the "entrance" access point and the "delivery" access point. To the south, a red wall of perforated plates, emblazoned with the Fire Service shield, separates the car park from the delivery area and extends up to the road, marking the entrance to the site.
The round form of the plan issued directly from the flow of emergency vehicles. Indeed, two circulation driveways are planned: the first, internal, for return from emergencies and the other, external, for departures. It has a round form in order to avoid any confusion between the two flows and to ensure that no manoeuvre is performed both inside and outside of the great hall. All functions are housed in this 90 m diameter and 5 level high cylinder. The compactness of this volume reduces surfaces with external exposure and thus reduces energy loss. Before putting renewable energy systems in place, it is essential to save energy at the source, reducing energy loss and maximising free gains from the architecture and its installation.
The 5 levels are found as such:
LEVEL 0 – Entrance
Semi-underground, this level is on the same level as the south access. It is ideal for parking and for the delivery area. All the car parks, as well as the unloading platforms, are covered. The car park is clearly divided between visitors, day personnel and "24 h" personnel. The rest of this level is composed of technical areas, stock areas (directly connected to the unloading platform) and areas for special units. In addition, there is a frontal path and access to the exercise tower.
As it is sheltered from inclement weather, use of the car park is very comfortable while reduced footprints maximise external green spaces.
The natural light in the car park further increases comfort, with a set of mirrors reflecting the light from the central skylight. This brightens the space and makes the entrance clearer. In effect, this 13 m squared side skylight is situated close to the vertical circulation core and the museum-welcome area. It naturally guides all users to this space.
LEVEL 1 – Emergency
At the level of the west access, this area is occupied on the periphery by the main hall, forming the vehicles’ garage in addition to an internal lane. A separate compartment houses the ambulances at a constant temperature, while another compartment is occupied by a car-wash. There are no pillars between the circulation driveway and parking places. This prevents many potential accidents and provides flexibility in this annular space. However, no vehicle circulates in an emergency state within the building. In effect, each vehicle has its own door and leaves directly without endangering any of the fire fighters, who are running towards their trucks. The main hall is lit by 48 6 m high translucent doors along the whole curved façade, creating soft and uniform lighting, in addition to the skylight facing the back of the emergency area. This space is magnified by the "heroes’ square", a space dedicated to the celebration and reverence of fire fighters who have returned from the fire. This ample space also allows for welcoming of groups of visitors, information sessions for the entire station, etc.
The rest of the level, falling within the ring road, includes the mechanical workshop, emergency changing rooms, storage and maintenance rooms for equipment and truck (masks, tanks, hosepipes, etc.). A logical pathway connects contaminated elements, near to the back of the emergency area, and the pure elements, on the side of the first emergency trucks.
LEVEL 2 – Changing rooms
On the mezzanine of the main hall and the workshop, this small-surfaced area includes private changing rooms, rooms especially for the ambulance drivers, in addition to some offices, using the light from the central skylight.
LEVEL 3 – Life and Administration
This level includes all departmental offices as well as the building’s general reception office, situated next to the vertical circulation core. These departments are served by a central north-south corridor which, after the airlock, also serves the fire fighters’ living areas (television room, sports hall, training room, bedrooms etc.). The Emergency Calls Processing Centre, located near the bedrooms and offices, offers a panoramic view of the emergency driveway.
All of these areas are lighted by exterior wall openings as well as by 7 patios orientated north-south, in addition to the central skylight. These north-south patios allow efficient energy management, to improve hygrothermal comfort with water pools. The sports hall is lighted by polycarbonate panels placed upon the roof and on the upper parts of the vertical walls. On the ground, the sports hall uses borrowed light from the mechanical workshop, through a frosted glass panel situated in the centre circle of the room.
LEVEL 4 – Garden and Restaurant
The last level offers a restaurant with a panoramic view over Charleroi, as well as a floral garden and vegetable garden of about hundred m² on the roof. This vegetable garden and greenhouse can provide food directly to the kitchen. They are designed to be a part of the training provided by the hotel schools in the surrounding area, whose students could come and prepare the fire fighters’ meals and tend the garden. For a bit of sun exposure, there is an outdoor terrace next to the restaurant.
The sections of this level (restaurant, kitchen, greenhouse) as well as the sports hall and the skylight are surmounted by a roof made of translucent and opaque areas, which provides all these areas with excellent lighting. The roof is suspended on a set of beams supported by larger external metallic beams. Above the sports hall, solar panels are placed on these metallic beams while louvers are placed on the greenhouse, restaurant and skylight areas. These louvers are mechanically orientated and have a reflective surface. This maximises solar gain to the green house, maximises lighting to the skylight and minimises solar gain in the restaurant in summer. In winter, the louvers are orientated to ensure maximum solar gain in the restaurant, which limits the need for heating.
This level also has access to the seating levels for the sports hall and an outdoor running track circling the building, while offering spectacular views of the region.
