JHB Central Fire Station, Marshalltown, Johannesburg, South Africa: Lifespan Beams
PROJECT OVERVIEW
New Johannesburg fire station rises like a phoenix from the ashesJohannesburg’s historic old fire station in downtown Marshalltown was given a R71 million revamp by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA). The original building, which dates back over 90 years, fell into disrepair, and was officially decommissioned in 2018, placing enormous strain on the inner city’s Central Emergency Management Services. With devastating high-rise fire disasters such the Grenfell building in the United Kingdom and more recently, the August 2023 Marshalltown fire in Johannesburg which made headlines, the much-needed revamping of this once iconic fire station offers a beacon of hope for inner-city residents.
PROJECT DETAILS
- Project Name: JHB Central Fire Station, Marshalltown, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Project Type: Fire Station Revampe
- Description: Screens & Pergolas
- Product used: 100 x 30 x 5800mm Lifespan Beams Savannah
- Date of Installation: 12 September 2023
- Project Location: 15 Kruis Street, Marshalltown, Johannesburg
- Architect: Mukhethwa Abel Mudau
- General Contractor: Nyaniso Mnyombolo
A MODERN LANDMARK
Theunissen Jankowitz Architects, together with P Wise Construction, were appointed to design a functional, sustainable, and low maintenance facility for Public Safety.The brand-new complex stands as a modern landmark complete with a six-storey drill tower, fire engine wash bays, a single-storey admin building, parking, and an extensive outdoor Public Safety Precinct built specifically for resident fire fighters and urban search and rescue teams.
The modern glass-and-face brick facade houses the admin centre, a gym, ablutions, as well as a BE Safe education centre to teach Basic Emergency and Fire Safety principles to trainees and the public. An outdoor recreation area with braai facilities and a swimming pool provides a venue for personnel to relax and decompress.
CREATING A STRIKING NEW TWIST
Eva-Last’s lightweight architectural Lifespan beams were specified for the pergolas and screens to create shady walkways throughout the precinct.The striking pergolas in the light shade of Savannah were installed overhead to create rectangular “box shapes” along the paths.
As a deliberate departure from the shiny steel texture and tone of the traditional building, designer architect Mukhethwa Mudau from TJA opted for the brushed timber texture of Eva-Last Lifespan beams.
This low-maintenance alternative creates a decorative yet durable architectural feature along the parking and outdoor passages, adding a natural wooden aesthetic with outstanding performance benefits to the imposing brick, glass, and steel structure.
“Lifespan’s hollow aluminium core, which weighs just 1.3kg/m, make the beams very easy to work with,” said architect Mukhethwa Mudau, who commended their functionality and easy installation.
The specialised hollow core provides the span of heavier, solid beams, ensuring reinforced dimensional stability and strength to create safe, striking elevated or overhead non-load bearing structures.
Low-maintenance and durability are essential in a site such as a Fire Station. With budget allocations for municipal maintenance projects not always available, material selection needs to be well thought out. For this reason, the highly durable, fade and weather resistant nature of Lifespan beams in a natural brushed wood look finish, will ensure the Fire Station remains pristine for years to come.
KEY INFLUENCER QUOTE
“We really wanted to create a striking, worry-free facility for our firemen to facilitate prompt and efficient service,” says Mukhethwa Mudau from TJA, “The wood-look pergolas and screens created by the Lifespan beams provide just that”.
“With the Lifespan beams, they can enjoy the timber texture and reinforced stability without having to worry about the safety and security, or sustainability and maintenance of their workplace,” he concluded.
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