Exploitation Center for Forest Fire Fighters / N+B Architectes

Architects: N+B Architectes / Jacques BRION, Elodie NOURRIGAT
Location: Brissac, France
Associated Architect: Julien WAFFLART
Client: Conseil Général de l’Hérault
Delegated Client: Hérault Aménagement
Structural Consultant: SOTEC INGENIERIE
Constructed Area: 1,619 sqm
Budget: US $ 2.64 M
Year: 2008
Photographs: N+B Architectes

The exploitation center and the building for forest fire fighters, takes place on a site to be located in the very heart of a huge green zone. It is composed of hills covered with scrublands and with vast agricultural plains which transcribe the very specific character of this region. These natural elements are a major asset.

The project tries to join as a line of supplementary slope which complies to by-pass and protect major elements of the landscape, such as the big trees or the standing banks. So protecting these recognizable elements, the building goes from the basement of the hill and develops three main facades: the roof, the East façade and the West one. The whole is homogenous, thanks to the choice of the “corten”, a textured matter, the tones and nuances of which are in harmony with the environment.