Opened in October 2017, the new 26,000-square-foot Cambie Fire Hall No. 3 and Richmond North Ambulance Station provides the City of Richmond with a state-of-the-art facility for first responders. Designed by Assembly Architecture and S2 Architecture, this health and public safety building sets a new precedent in the province by integrating fire-rescue and ambulance services into one facility in a major urban centre.
The design of the building evolved through numerous discussions with Richmond Fire- Rescue and British Columbia Emergency Health Services about their respective key values and the importance of how the image of the building reflects each organization.
“By listening carefully throughout the design process, the design team were able to create a design that immediately resonated with RFR and their vision for Hall No. 3,” explained Robert Lange, principal-in-charge at Assembly Architecture. “The first design we produced met with resounding approval by RFR and city council, keeping us on schedule through the rezoning process.”
Central to the design was locating both the fire hall and ambulance services station together in a single purpose built facility with shared common spaces that allow for operational and financial efficiencies while further strengthening the relationship between the two agencies.
“This $20.7 million investment supports the city’s commitment to public safety and to providing quality first response services for Richmond’s growing community needs. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certified facility demonstrates our leadership and commitment to environmental design and sustainability” said Jas Dharampal, project manager at the City of Richmond.
Built to post-disaster standards, the three-storey facility includes two suppression bays for fire rescue vehicles, two emergency vehicle technician bays for repair of fire apparatus, and two bays for up to six ambulance vehicles.
The orientation of the offices, kitchen and dining room around an extensively glazed outdoor patio serves to maximize natural daylighting while providing an efficient flow via a central corridor. The positioning of the training classrooms to the south-west of the building allows for expansive views of the site training area below and the neighbouring green spaces, furthering exposure to natural light.
