Fiery Heritage

Once they’d received the commission from the municipal authority in Houten, Samyn and Partners craved to instill a burst of creativity into the town’s green space with this project. With a force of four professional firefighters and around 60 volunteers, it was clear that the fire station had to be sufficient for six fire engines to be in operation.

Unlike conventional rooftops, the architecture practice went bold with a curved, radical structure that acted as a symbol of shelter and independence. Not only did elegance and quality shine through the glazed façade, the layout also ensured that this humble fire station functioned well on a daily basis via the integration of large overhead gates to allow quick operational exits should an emergency occurred.

The roof’s form may have deviated from the norm, but what made it a truly modern variant was also the 2,200 DIN A3-sized panels splashed with ombré colours. It wasn’t just any brick wall; in fact, it was an entire wall of children’s artwork that were dedicated to the firemen’s hard work and what they meant to the city. On top of the changing colours, the priceless drawings resulted in a magnificent hieroglyph display, which in turn transformed the fire station into the unforgettable monument we see today.

That said, the Houten fire station still holds the basic facilities for the firemen underneath the cheerful brick façade. On the ground floor, one would find the essential showers, changing rooms, sanitary provisions as well as storage rooms for mechanical equipment. A conference room and a cafeteria for the firefighters are situated on the first floor whilst office spaces are on the floor above, adjoined with storage rooms for technical equipment.