Caserne #55 de Saint-Aubert

Discipline : Architecture

Categories : Public Building / Institutional Building : Gold certification

Located in the MRC of L'Islet, the municipality of St-Aubert commissioned Atelier Guy architects to design a new fire station. The project enhances local and regional emergency services by meeting the "10/10" standard: deploying 10 firefighters to a fire within 10 minutes. The building is distinguished by its construction quality, while integrating innovative and ecological solutions.

Program

The fire station is organized around a concise program covering an area of 300 m², consisting of two parts: a garage for emergency vehicles and an administrative sector. The garage was designed with double height, creating a simple, yet spatially rich volume. The lower level of the administrative sector is dedicated to support activities, while the upper floor includes living spaces. Horizontal circulation is marked by a fully glazed staircase indicating the entrance.

Located on the outskirts of the village, the building benefits from easy and quick access to the main roads while being harmoniously integrated into the residential landscape and surrounding woodland.

Structure and use of wood

The building employs wood, elegantly surpassing the constraints of the project. Categorized as a civil protection building, its structure is foolproof; all the coefficients used are enhanced by 25% to 50%.

In the garage, the glued laminated timber structure defines the space with its slender columns, visible bracing, and frames surrounding the large openings for trucks. Prepared in a local factory located less than 1km from the site, the roof joists rest on a massive beam that spans the full 15m width of the garage, leaving the space entirely free and allowing mechanics to operate unimpeded. The roof, also in glued laminated timber, extends to cover the adjacent administrative volume, thus unifying the entire building.

Outside, the wood is manifested by the cladding in siding, soffit, and lattice, giving texture to the facade and promoting vegetation growth.

Durability

We believe that public architecture must be exemplary. The design of a high-performance, durable envelope is crucial, guided by the following principles: thermal insulation and sealing exceeding the requirements of the NECB, continuous insulation from the slab to the roof, protection of the wood elements, adoption of best practices for managing water vapor in the envelope, and exclusive use of hydroelectric power.

Conclusion

In short, the St-Aubert fire station embodies functional, elegant, and sustainable public architecture. Through this project, the municipality affirms its civic engagement while strengthening ties with the community. This building represents a model of integration into its environment and energy performance.

The project in images