The fire station is located at the very center of Guizhou Province, South-West China, near its main city, Guiyang. The building grows in between two steep trapezoid-shaped picks, 30m high, facing Huayan Road, an important road artery. It carries on the shape of the mountain creating an iconic red slope. The whole complex is arranged in parallel groups starting from a single-slope trapezoidal section, taken as the basic unit. This basic unit has been used to create a common language between very different elements, from the small skylights until larger functional areas.

The plan is quite complex, due to the morphological features of the site. The building is made by a succession of parallel bands to combine different programs and it is arranged on many levels. These are connected by outdoor corridors and boardwalk which, due to the mild temperatures, have been equipped with relax areas, reading rooms and sport equipment to encourage socialization. 

As in the most typical style of West-line Studio, a severe strong architecture always meets open courtyards, some more wide and open, where to exercise and practice group sports, others more quiet, with water features, to create different environments. The light also plays an important role giving different personalities to different spaces. While on the swimming pool or indoor sports playground we have a diffuse light, in the Honor Hall the light is ‘measured’ to highlight only few architectural elements and to create iconic shadows. The Honor Hall does not only stands as different element in the overall architectural composition, but also aims to create a totally different environment inside,  where deep shadows characterize this high sharp space, used to reward brave fire mans and to strengthen the spirit of the whole team. Architects paid particular attention to the design of the staircase. Far from being only passages or connection between different floors, these cores have long cantilevered areas and their own lighting system.

This projects well describe West-line Studio’s design approach in creating a strong and iconic relationship with the surroundings. While on one end the building looks like growing from two steep picks, on the other hand, with its deep red and unique shape, it stands out with its own personality. The surrounding landscape has not been altered: the ecological protection of the mountain has been one of this project’s main goals. Architects preserved the original situation of the site, inserting the building without digging or altering the site in any way.

Even though the design is part of the landscape, the different treatments used on the red Danxia stone allow for a contrast between the building and its surroundings. Danxia landform is a unique red rock landscape located in southern China. Chishui Danxia, in the north of Guizhou province, can be classified as 'young Danxia', which is one of the most impressive phases. With an extension of more than 700㎞², it is also the largest Danxia landform in China. The characteristic red color is given by a reddish accumulation of sandstone, shaped into spectacular peaks, pillars, cliffs and imposing gorges. According to their area of origin, Danxia stones present different characteristics. The high-porosity stone causes strong hygroscopicity. Different mineral compositions cause various anti-corrosion effects, weather resistance, and also visible color alterations. The side of the material untouched by the sun tends to turn a glowing red with strong black components, while the outside stays a shiny, blood red. Architects explored all the possibilities given by this local material which, according to the area of origin presents different characteristics, to bring this unique red signature to the project.

The fire station, starting from a basic trapezoidal unit, puts together different scales and different elements to create a uniform system. A system where each part stills keep its own personality, especially the white Honor Hall which stands as a sculptural element to celebrate the courage of Guizhou firemen, becoming a vibrant landmark space for the city and the community.