This fire station stands on Peace Boulevard, built under the project Hiroshima 2045: City of Peace & Creativity, which employs established architects to build public facilities.

Anyone is welcome to enter; in fact, inviting visitors inside is one of the purposes of this building. The office and seminar room are both equipped with full-height glazing, aiming for an OPEN fire station.

The exterior features louvers which block rain and let wind in. Behind this exterior is a passageway (photo #4); an atrium and offices are farther back. Basically, all the rooms are fitted with full-height glazing, which makes the light reach deep into the building. However, from now on, when you have to be eco-friendly, this type of buildings will not be easily approved because of the higher air conditioning costs and more CO2 emission.

The atrium makes the interior special. It is cleverly designed to highlight metallic texture.This is where fire fighters' drills are to take place. Visitors might be able to see them do their balancing act at close hand. However, the viewers might look at the fire fighters as the zoo visitors observe the monkeys. The approach itself should be praised as highly experimental but it's not certain if this is the desirable way for the citizens to be involved.

It surely looks like a fun building for general audience, though. If you are interested in architecture, it's worth taking time to come and see it.

[For Visitors]
Ask for admittance at the reception in the entrance of the 1st floor. Visitors are allowed to go to the passageway by the louvers, display room, and atrium. The offices and garage are off limits.

[Access]

[TRAM] Get off at Nishi-kan-on-machi tram stop. The fire station stands right in front.