High Tech Dutch Fire Station Relies On Innovative Solar Collecting Rooftop Parking Lot

When the municipality of Alkmaar in <a href="http://inhabitat.com/the-netherlands-to-pave-roads-with-solaroad-solar-panels/">The Netherlands</a> needed a new <a href="http://inhabitat.com/oakland-fire-station-honored-with-leed-gold-certification/">fire station</a>, they had a lot of specific criteria that needed to be met. First the facility had to achieve a high level of energy efficiency and sustainability. They also needed the NBHW fire station to have facilities for a care center for addicts and meet many strict town planning conditions. As a result the facility, designed by <a href="http://www.liag.nl/engels/projecten/utiliteit/brandweeralkmaar.html">LIAG</a>, conforms to the site along the North Holland Canal with a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/intexure-architects-transform-parking-garage-into-a-rooftop-zen-garden/">rooftop parking deck</a> to place cars out of sight. The parking deck is also used to collect solar energy for the underground thermal energy storage system to minimize electricity use.

The slender building volume runs north and south away from the city council buildings up to a height of 20 meters acting as an entrance to the city centre.

A ramp on the canal side of the building provides access to the innovative parking lot that acts to collect solar energy.

Painted green to avoid overheating, the parking lot is like a giant radiant floor, but works to collect solar energy rather than release it.

This heat is transferred down to the underground thermal energy storage (UTES) to provide 80% of its heating and cooling for the facility and the adjoining city council offices.

In March 2011, the building received an honorable mention from the European Architecture Award 2011 Architecture + Energy, which awards buildings with innovative energy concepts.

Overall the station achieved a higher energy rating than the city required for new construction and also made a concerted effort to include materials that had a lower impact in manufacturing, recycling, and reuse

The materials had to fit within the vision of ‘Cradle-to-Cradle' building.

The facility also makes use of rainwater recycling, extra high insulation, compact building and multi-use spaces.

An art installation by the name of Northern Lights, by Paul Baartmans, makes use of the reflective and metallic surface of the building to project colorful LED lights resulting in a playful and mysterious effect.

Site plan of the fire station along the North Holland Canal.

Ground floor plan of the NBHW Fire Station.

West cross section of the fire station.

East cross section of the fire station.