The People’s Firehouse established by the people for the people boasts its history and tradition. The site for the proposed firehouse located on a prominent corner in the warehouse district on the water addresses the streets of Brooklyn by responding to the extended street grid through the site. The resulting form and spaces take cues from the established grid. The apparatus bay is positioned along the main street, Franklin Street, for quick exit and entry during calls. The office and visitor center are located on the main corner of Franklin and Quay Street adjacent to the apparatus bay. The west side of the building faces Manhattan and Bushwick Inlet Park framing a nice view for the residents of firehouse as well as visitors. The North side of building stacks the program so that the ground level is mainly occupied by the public while the second and third floors are for the firefighters. The third floor is the main residential space with an interior courtyard to allow ample light into the bedroom space and an occupiable green roof for grilling adjacent to the kitchen. A slide is located outside of the bedrooms so that call response time is decreased. The South side of the building houses an abundance of storage with a fitness room located above overlooking the apparatus bay. The spaces utilize an efficient circulation path for decreased call response times as well as easy navigation for public visitors. The materials used in the building consist of glass, steel, and metal sheathing. These materials reflect the surrounding buildings creating a cohesive urban fabric. By addressing the history of Brooklyn through the spaces created within the building and providing large public access areas, the new People’s Firehouse will continue to protect the neighborhood of Greenpoint in Brooklyn, New York, while maintaining its historical identity in the gentrifying scene.
de Young Memorial Museum: San Francisco
Architects: Herzog & de Meuron