Fire Station Thal

Design: Volunteer fire brigades are not only needed for emergencies, but also constitute an important asset in the social life of rural areas. The location of the fire station signifies this understanding, as it is situated prominently at the entrance of the municipality while fully integrated in its built environment, with transparent areas on all sides. The building also features the municipal maintenance yard and depot as well as the municipal archive. The radio and control room overlooks the vehicle depot, courtyard, and crew entrance.

Wood: For the facade, vertical Silver fir sidings were used, lending the building a unified appearance that suits its location. The fire station was realized as a low-energy building with a solid timber construction. Only the exterior walls of the vehicle depot, in direct contact with soil, were made with reinforced concrete.

Energy: Due to the different requirements of the rooms, the heating concept of the building was split into two segments. The lower level, housing the vehicle depot, municipal maintenance yard, and storage rooms, is not actively heated; the isolation of the walls and the waste heat of the wood chip heating plant suffice to bring it to the required temperature around the year. The upper level is heated.