Project Completed by Baade Harbour Geelong (BHA)

With its location deep within the Otway Ranges, the purpose built Community Fire Refuge at Lavers Hill has been incorporated into the design of the new CFA fire station, co-located with Ambulance Victoria and SES. The brief required that this compound was also to provide protection from radiant heat and embers to be a last resort shelter option when all other plans have failed.

As only the third purpose built facility in the state, the design was developed by rigorously analysing all options against a set of key criteria, including achieving best work practices and outcome standards, combined with the need to meet future challenges.

Baade Harbour Geelong worked closely with the project board, including representatives from VBA, Emergency Management Victoria, CFA, and CSIRO, along with Fire and Services Engineers, to provide a building that would perform not only in its day-to-day functions but during extreme bushfire events.

The facility is user friendly and functional, yet provides a space for both residents and tourists in trying times within the community with the fully enclosed and air-conditioned 3 bay motor room providing shelter.

Responding to the site sensitivities via shape and colour, it sits within the natural environment, using neutral tones for external bushfire screen and elevations highlighted with contrast ‘red’ cladding to draw attention to the main entry points.

The design of materials, building form, and element junctions were done to minimise the infiltration of embers and smoke. Below the colorbond cladded exterior sits a steel portal frame with 1hr fire rated hebel panel shell to offer protection to those who may be inside.