Varadžin Fire Station

The proposed fire station for the City of Varaždin is conceived as a contemporary, top-quality public building that responds precisely to the operational, spatial, and symbolic demands of a modern fire brigade while establishing a strong architectural presence at the city’s entrance from the Zagreb motorway.

Located in a predominantly undeveloped area characterised by industrial buildings and open meadows, the project is intentionally designed as a clear and distinctive landmark. Its circular form sets it apart from the surrounding industrial sheds and announces the presence of a civic institution dedicated to safety, readiness, and public service. Visible from afar, the building becomes one of the first impressions of Varaždin—an architectural statement rooted in the city’s long firefighting tradition yet expressed through a rational and contemporary vocabulary.

The building concept is inspired by the idea of an engine: compact, efficient, and always ready. The circular perimeter represents the most economical and spatially efficient geometry, minimising envelope surface, optimising internal distances, and supporting fast response times. This geometry directly supports the firefighters’ daily routine and the critical sixty-second requirement, ensuring that movement paths between living areas, operational zones, and vehicle bays are short, intuitive, and unobstructed.

Organisation of the building is governed by the logic of the firefighter’s daily routine and the critical sixty-second response requirement. Half of the circular volume is dedicated to the vehicle garage, optimised for rapid deployment, with exits to the south and immediate connection to the road infrastructure. The remaining half accommodates all operational, administrative, training and communal spaces. These are arranged as an interior landscape with an almost urban character, structured around clear visual connections and intuitive movement. A large central stair functions both as a key circulation element and as an amphitheatrical space for gatherings, briefings and events, reinforcing the collective dimension of the profession.

Public and restricted access points are clearly separated and organised from different sides of the building. The western side, oriented toward the city, accommodates training areas and potential public access to the sports hall, allowing controlled interaction between the fire station and the community. This duality reinforces the building’s role not only as an operational hub, but also as a civic institution embedded in everyday urban life.

The site design follows a clear functional logic. Parking for staff is located along the eastern road, providing direct access to the building. The southern part of the site is dedicated to outdoor training functions, including the training tower, ensuring separation from public areas. In the north-western corner—closest to residential neighbourhoods—an outdoor sports field and an additional site entrance are provided. This area allows controlled public use of the outdoor field and indoor sports facilities when not required for firefighter training, and enables the organisation of matches and community events. The overall landscape is conceived as a patchwork of interconnected functions, woven together by natural elements such as trees, shrubs and grass, softening the industrial context and enhancing environmental quality.

The building adopts an integrated, energy-efficient design approach and is conceived to meet near-zero energy building standards in full compliance with applicable legislation. The compact form supports reduced energy loss, while the building envelope is optimised according to site orientation and climatic conditions. Advanced systems for heating, cooling, and ventilation are integrated, including heat pumps (air-to-water and/or ground-to-water), heat recovery systems, and smart building management controls. Photovoltaic panels contribute to on-site renewable energy production, while LED lighting with automated controls as well as optimal use of daylight ensures low energy consumption and operational reliability.

Additional sustainable measures include rainwater harvesting on the rooftop tank, as well as the potential integration of green roofs or façades, contributing to microclimatic regulation and reduced environmental impact. Together, these strategies ensure a resilient, future-oriented facility that supports the demanding operational needs of firefighters while minimising its ecological footprint.

Through its clear organisation, expressive yet rational form, and integrated sustainable systems, the Varaždin Fire Station delivers a distinctive, contemporary and efficient solution—one that supports operational excellence, strengthens the city’s identity at its entrance, and provides lasting value for both firefighters and the wider community.