Civil Protection Centre
CIVIL PROTECTION CENTRE
Roland Baldi Architects
ARCHITECTS
Roland Baldi Architects
LEAD ARCHITECTS
Roland Baldi
ENGINEERING & CONSULTING > LIGHTING
Xal
PHOTOGRAPHS
Oskar Da Riz
AREA
1404 m²
YEAR
2026
LOCATION
Oris, Italy
CATEGORY
Public Architecture, Fire Station, Sustainability
English description provided by the architects.
Set between the wooded slopes of the Venosta Valley and Oris – a hamlet in Lasa - the new Civil Protection Centre makes a confident architectural statement.
Constructed from green-pigmented insulating concrete, the building seamlessly blends the functional requirements of the volunteer fire department with a distinctive architectural expression.
Its monolithic appearance lends the structure a powerful identity, while its color establishes a subtle dialogue with the surrounding landscape.
The architecture of the new Civil Protection Centre stems directly from the specific parameters of its site. Situated on a trapezoidal plot, the design translates the plot boundaries directly into the building's form.
The result is a striking geometrical landmark that presents itself as a compact, monolithic form.
The building's massing was carefully shaped to express its distinct functions, and while the vehicle bay has a single story, the crew and administrative facilities are organized across two levels.
This variation in height gives rise to a distinctive sloping roof, which unifies both functional areas into a coherent architectural whole.
Depending on the season and the angle of the sun, the perception of the building shifts: at times it stands out as a sculptural landmark within the village, while at others it appears to merge seamlessly with the forested slopes of the valley.
The selected shade of green also extends into the interior spaces: concrete walls, resin floors, steel doors, and furniture finishes are all rendered in the same tone, consistently reinforcing the building's overarching design concept.
The internal organization is driven by the practical requirements of emergency response. Short circulation routes and clearly structured workflows determine the arrangement of spaces across three levels.
The ground floor houses the vehicle bay with four parking stalls, the command room, changing rooms, and a standby room. The movement patterns of the emergency personnel were meticulously factored into the design process to ensure maximum efficiency in emergencies.
The upper floor accommodates communal areas such as the kitchen and a training room. From here, direct views into the vehicle bay create a visual connection between the building's different functional areas. The basement contains the technical infrastructure, storage areas, and archive. A centrally located lift ensures barrier-free accessibility to all levels.
The defining feature of the building is its exterior walls, made of green-pigmented insulating concrete. This material combines structural load-bearing capacity and thermal insulation into a single, monolithic construction.
Depending on the specific requirements, mineral lightweight aggregates of varying grain sizes were blended with cement, water, and specialized additives.
Beyond its thermal and structural performance, insulating concrete also excels in durability, non-combustibility, and full recyclability. Its porous structure enhances thermal inertia, contributing to a stable and comfortable indoor climate while lending the façade a distinctive tactile depth.
The structural frame and floor slabs are reinforced concrete. Generous aluminum windows with insulated glazing ensure bright, naturally lit interiors, while robust materials such as resin flooring and steel and timber doors meet the demands of everyday operations.
The choice of color is a subtle interplay with the environment: the green hue deliberately sets the building apart from the village's more conventional palette of gray, white, and beige. At the same time, the building establishes a dialogue with the landscape.
The hose tower is at once a vertical landmark and a functional anchor point: it pierces the roofline like a widely visible stele and marks the presence of the institution in the public realm, complemented by the fire department's emblem at its highest point.
With the completion of the new Civil Protection Centre, the Eyrs/Oris Volunteer Fire Brigade has gained a highly functional, future-ready facility. At the same time, the project achieves an impact that extends well beyond its purely technical purpose.
The green monolith establishes itself as a new point of reference between village and landscape – a building that combines operational functionality with architectural ambition.Its precise geometry, innovative use of insulating concrete, and distinctive color palette give the building a strong presence within the village landscape.
