RIAI | Irish Architecture Awards

Citation

The fire station contains dormitories, canteens and recreational facilities for up to 100 men. It is also a brigade HQ with offices for administration and fire prevention personnel. The offices and staff facilities are organised around a bright double height hall facing south into a landscaped courtyard. Canteen and staff recreation areas overlook this hall and enjoy the garden beyond. Corridors are treated with exposed blockwork, steel and tiled floors; private rooms are plastered, carpeted and painted in warm colours.

The appliance room is an airy, clean space with individual bays defined by the deep 'toblerone' trusses. The dimension of the bay becomes a structural and spacial module throughout the building. The small increment of the bay eases the potential problems of scale witha djoining houses. A light and economic steel roof truss is used throughout over white blockwork and grey glass elements forming a carefully detailed skin. The rhythm of the gables and the exposed truss system aspire to the order and clarity of the Victorian utility building particularly the tram shed.