In the Czech Republic, several well-executed, newly built, or reconstructed fire-stations were carried out after 2016. These were predominantly in small villages (Palkovice, Lisovice, Odry, Krásná Studánka, Líbeznice etc.). The village of Osík near Litomyšl was a similar case, with the difference however, of having a ten-year head-start on the others.
The voluntary firefighters in Osík, with a history stretching back to the 19th century, occupied two small buildings (a garage and a laundry press) immediately adjacent to the busy main road. Both buildings were rather dilapidated and thus required substantial reconstruction and modernization. With support from the local council, which was possibly taking its cues from Litomyšl in accentuating the importance of quality design in new buildings, the architect Karel Šrámek of the Polička APOLO CZ design studio was tasked with the design project. According to the wishes of the local council, the architect made no significant changes to the shape and mass of the pre-existing buildings, including the high, slim tower for drying hoses. However, he unified both buildings with an impressive, modern facade.
To a large extent, the choice of materials was influenced by the fact that the fire-station is located in the immediate neighbourhood of the road where a traditional rendered facade would suffer, especially during the winter months. The designer, therefore, chose to apply washable cladding – small-format, dark-grey Eternit panels, covering not only the walls but also the pitched roof, and contrasting, large-format, light-grey Cetris boards on the gable ends and remaining walls. A steel porch, featuring panels of expanded metal, together with an unobtrusive roof, newly connects both buildings.
The prevailing grey tones of the materials were chosen so that the building would merge with its neighbours. However, the urban setting of the building itself also rendered the dark-grey tones more practical in disguising the grime of the roadside environment. The light-grey tones break up the monolithic impression of the building, whilst accentuating the tower for drying hoses. The bright red of the window louvres and doors, a characteristic colour for the fire-fighting environment, serves to enliven the building.
