Heinstetten fire station: Clearly structured timber construction based on traditional building culture.
Our design for the new fire station in Heinstetten was awarded first place in the multiple design competition. The work respects the scale and typology of the traditional village high in the Swabian Alb and impresses with a simple, sustainable overall concept.
Project data
Urban settlement
With its natural positioning, the new fire station building in Heinstetten marks the entrance to the village and has a defining effect on the townscape.
The block-shaped building divides the site into the northern part with parking spaces and the neighborhood meeting point and the southern part with the vehicle yard and fire department exit. This division ensures a natural alignment of the social and functional uses.
Construction
The fire station is characterized by a demountable, modular construction made of recurring elements. The building is designed as a pure timber construction with a reinforced concrete floor slab.
The modular design uses identical, economically prefabricated elements, which shortens the construction time. The timber construction grid also gives the building a clear and flexible structure. The shape of the roof is also optimally utilized: Skylight strips allow soft northern light into the building, while south-facing PV systems achieve maximum efficiency.
A wide, continuous band of wooden shingles along the eaves gives the roof the necessary robustness. At the same time, the shingles tell the architectural history and tradition of the Swabian Alb.
Functionality
The building has a clearly structured floor plan based on the work processes of the fire department. On the first floor, clear alarm routes without crossing points lead through the changing rooms and corridors into the vehicle hall. The radio room is positioned with a view of the courtyard and the hall. The latter is equipped with three parking spaces and storage and workshop areas in the rear.
Youth, standby and training rooms are located on the top floor. A service core forms a functional block with toilets, kitchen and storage. The high quality of stay in the rooms is rounded off by exciting views down into the vehicle hall and the foyer.
Materiality
The exterior and interior of the new building are characterized by the warm, natural raw material wood. Transparent folding glass doors on the vehicle hall allow light to enter and provide valuable visual axes that showcase the vehicles and at the same time bring the picturesque landscape into the building. The building services are visible and easily accessible.
More views
Digital fire department exhibition
Fire station
Fire department with DRK
Fire station with DRK
