The site for the Brooklyn Fire Station for Greenpoint is located on the inlet of Bushwick Park, nestled between the historical and industrial neighborhoods of Brooklyn. The building sits pushed back from the corner of Kent and Quay street. The corner of the site is treated as a triangle that informs the geometries of the program. The apparatus bay faces Quay Street on the first floor, with the living quarters on the second floors above it surrounding the space. Private spaces on the upper floors remain closed off on the street front but open up with curtain walls on the opposite side to observe the beautiful Manhattan skyline across the East River, while letting in natural light. The public space and lobby connects the firehouse to the museum that sits on the second floor facing Kent street. The two programs overlap in a double height space that goes up to the museum that cantilevers out into the site and creates a covered courtyard garden space that will entice and bring in the community. The aim of this design is to create an exciting space that will encourage the community to come and engage with the firehouse, museum and the public park spaces.

Rendering of proposed park at Sovereign Street public green space, New York City

The Brooklyn Fire Station for Greenpoint neighborhood is located on a site that is surrounded by jarringly different conditions as the process of gentrification hits this once industrial zone. Positioned on the Bushwick Inlet Park, water lays to the South and West with the beautiful Manhattan skyline in the distance, while the North and East are surrounded by the remnants of those industrial times. The design of the fire station aims to create an efficient building with a public space enjoyable to both the community at large and the fire fighters. The fire station is created by the intersection of two different axises. The axis of the apparatus bay aligns with Franklin Street to respond to the surrounding urban grid, while the more private, residential axis aligns itself with 15th street. Creating a dialogue with the geometry of the residential axis is a large water feature that serves to create a gathering spot for the community and firefighters to enjoy. The circulation of the space is extremely important as response time is key in emergency situations like fire and rescue. The circulation of the space is maintained by the positioning of staircases accessible to both axises, to increase efficiency within the space and decrease response time. Sustainability is also an important aspect of the design with a focus on daylighting, natural ventilation, and superinsulation. This design aims to support the connection and interaction with the community through a fun and exciting public park space, while also creating a comfortable environment for those serving the community.

Canal Park- Washington D.C.

Photographer: Sahar Coston-Hardy
Architect: Olin Studios

With the gentrification happening in Brooklyn, New York there are proposals for new residential and commercial high rises, and schools. In the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn, there is a need for a new firehouse to provide sufficient services to the increase in population. Situated on the corner of Quay Street and Franklin Street, the firehouse becomes a community beacon by rising above the historical industrial neighborhood.

The stacked program provides height to compete with the new high rise and becomes more private as you move up. The circulation “rod” allows for a central circulation core to each level providing an easy, fast access for the firefighters to reach the apparatus bay through an escape chute. The rod allows for the stacked program to be pushed and pulled creating green roof terraces and providing views of Manhattan. To promote more community involvement, the firehouse is also becoming the North Brooklyn Children’s Garden (NBCG) as the community will have access to the green roofs; and the children from the proposed new schools can come learn and plat foods and vegetables, and the community can host events there as well. The materiality of the building also uses a concrete framing system with Elm wood panels, which are local sources, to bring back the idea of the historical wooden firehouses and also celebrate the new concrete framed structures being built.

The firehouse becomes a hinge point for community members, both new and old, to experience the past and present.

Photo Information:

Website: http://www.archdaily.com/417868/aguas-claras-house-ramon-coz-benjamin-ortiz

Designers: Ramon Coz + Benjamin Ortiz

Photographer: Sergio Pirrone