Cuba famously clustered medical services provided by doctors, nurses , pharmacists and other medical professionals within single buildings, streamlining the provision of medical care at the local level. The idea was copied in other countries and it appears that the same basic principle is now being applied to other public services. In this example
Jean Pierre Lott has designed for the town of Beauregard
Á Rennes, an assistance centre which, is based around a fire station but includes facilities such as a canteen, gym and lodgings that can be used by the fire service but also other emergency services in the event an incident requiring an extraordinary response. I am not entirely clear if victims of the incident can also make temporary use of the facilities but I think that is the case.
Whilst there is some uncertainty in the programme, the architecture is clear and compelling. Made from insitu concrete the building has a strong sculptural presence owing some inspiration to Le Corbusier for his inventive use of that material, but recalling the more recent work of Daniel Lieberskin through the slotted openings in the façades. At night, the fireman's practice tower gives the impression of a lighthouse, an appropriate metaphor for a building whose function is to ensure the safety of local residents.
