Logan Lake Fire Hall
As the largest and one of the most recent infrastructure projects to be built within the Logan Lake Regional District, the Logan Lake Fire Hall does triple duty as a fire station, an emergency operations centre and a valuable community space. It’s also an aesthetically stunning building of which the design and innovative use of wood products has won many accolades, including a top prize at the Canadian Wood Council’s 2018 Wood Design Awards.
A major achievement in wood design
From the mass-timber structure to interior finishing, JDa chose wood for its affordability, sustainability, resiliency and natural beauty. The building’s glued-laminated timber (glulam) post-disaster structural system can resist 1.5 times more seismic force than a normal building. The unique, dual-curved glulam ceiling is pound-for-pound stronger than steel—and much more affordable—while the roof design helps to efficiently distribute weight and mitigate snowpack. Finally, wood is locally abundant and was easily and affordably installed by trades working within a 200-km radius.
The new fire hall uses an unprecedented 95% structural wood above grade. Due to rigidity requirements for large truck apparatus bays, wood is often not chosen as a structural material for fire stations. But by employing innovative design, wood can be extremely affordable, adaptable and structurally integral for protective services buildings for generations. The new, single-storey fire station can now accommodate six vehicles in three drive-through apparatus bays.
Awards
Canadian Wood Council – 2018 Wood Design Awards Winner, Institutional Wood Design: Small
JDa Team
Kimberly Johnston—Project Architect
Ed Craig—Job Captain
When the wooden structure was not revealed as a final finish, other materials, such as copper, were used as cladding to provide visual relief. The copper cladding hearkens to the nearby copper mine that is one of the largest mining operations in the world and a major employer of Logan Lake residents.
The safe, fast and efficient movement of people, gear and vehicles is paramount when planning protective services buildings—both inside and outside the structure. Circulation planning is just one facet of JDa’s special expertise in this sector.
Spruce pine-engineered glulam and plywood decking comprise the building envelope, millwork, finishes, doors and ceilings. Plywood veneer panelling was used on inside walls and single panels can be easily replaced when damaged. Virtually every interior space has access to working windows and abundant natural light.