Conversion of Former Fire Station Building by Dario Wohler Architects

Located in Dübendorf, Switzerland, the Conversion of Former Fire Station Building by Dario Wohler Architects reimagines a 1939 military structure into a multifunctional workspace within the emerging Zurich Innovation Park. Once a garage for army fire engines, the building now serves as a hub for tech start-ups and innovation-driven companies.

Historical Context

The former fire brigade building sits within the listed ensemble of the Dübendorf military airfield, surrounded by large aircraft hangars and service structures. Its adaptive reuse bridges historical legacy with forward-looking innovation, ensuring continuity in the transformation of the site into the Zurich Innovation Park.

Design Concept

The conversion strategy centered on preserving the brick exterior walls and wooden roof structure while enhancing the architectural character. A new wooden core was introduced within the existing shell, maintaining the authentic mix of materials and reinforcing the building’s structural clarity.

Structural Transformation

The original layered timber roof system was carefully dismantled and replaced with glued laminated timber trusses featuring a conical cross-section. These span the 12-meter-wide main hall, creating a net-like underside that maximizes spatial height and adds strong visual expression.

Interior Organization

The renovated fire station now functions as a flexible workspace for start-ups, featuring:

• A large gallery-level meeting room
• A smaller ground-floor meeting space beside the concrete service core
• A kitchenette, sanitary facilities, and building services integrated within the core
• A striking galvanized steel spiral staircase as a central sculptural element connecting both floors

Contemporary Use

Today, the building embodies the fusion of heritage and innovation, offering a multifunctional environment where technology companies and entrepreneurs collaborate. Its adaptive reuse demonstrates how architectural heritage can be transformed into a platform for future-focused industries.

All Photographs are works of Rasmus Norlander