The design of the firefighter training station takes inspiration from the Ottawa Fire Association’s vision to be a “leader in health, safety, and well-being for its members and community.” Activating the public realm, showcasing sustainable tectonics, and fostering a connection with nature achieve this intention.
A community garden, basketball court, coffee shop, and roof garden cultivate a connection between the community and the firefighters. Public space in the training station allows the firefighters to educate the community about fire safety and the importance of supporting sustainable initiatives such as locally grown produce. The building is constructed with mycelium bricks to showcase the potential of natural building in future architecture. Lastly, the design ensures every space receives natural daylight and views to the outdoors. Surrounded by trees, the training zone perpetuates this ideology by using nature to reduce stress for firefighters during their intense training to improve performance in the field.