CENTER FOR PROTECTION AND RESCUE LJUBLJANA

LOCATION
Ljubljana, Slovenija

COMPETITION YEAR
June 2014

ARCHITECTURE OFFICE
Ravnikar - Potokar arhitekturni biro d.o.o.

ARCHITECTURE
Robert Potokar, Alenka Kramer, Zala Likavec, Andrej Blatnik, Gašper Topličan

PRIZE
1st Prize

The architectural design of the new Fire Brigade and Emergency Communications Centre, together with the Municipal Police, is conceived as a unified building accommodating a range of programmes, which are also expressed through the volumetric arrangement of its individual elements. The fire brigade tower and the volume housing the Municipal Police offices are articulated as distinct elements, as are the garage bays for the fire engines. Despite the overall unity of the building, the Municipal Police office volume has its own entrance and distinct identity and is therefore positioned at the north-eastern corner of the building.

The minimalist architectural expression is driven by the building’s functionality. At its core is a highly efficient operational layout that enables rapid response and continuous readiness for intervention and protection. The spaces serving the fire brigade are therefore organised logically, with direct connections that facilitate rapid deployment. The garage bays are arranged on both sides of the southern part of the site, allowing the fastest possible access to the road. Rest rooms are located above the garage bays and are equipped with internal fire poles. Offices and other spaces required for the operation of the fire brigade are arranged along the perimeter of the first floor.

The green roof above the largest raised volume can function as a private elevated green park, with recreational areas intended for both firefighters and office staff. The roof above the central office volume accommodates a technical level for building services and mechanical installations and is covered with photovoltaic solar panels. The roof-level internal courtyards are landscaped with vegetation or finished with timber decking.