Roland Baldi Architects civil protection centre Eyrs/Oris a green monolith of insulating concrete

5 October 2026

Set between the wooded slopes of the Vinschgau/Venosta Valley and Eyrs/Oris – a hamlet in Laas/Lasa, the new Civil Protection Centre makes a confident architectural statement. Constructed from green-pigmented insulating concrete, the building seamlessly blends the functional requirements of the volunteer fire department with a distinctive architectural expression. Its monolithic appearance lends the structure a powerful identity, while its colour establishes a subtle dialogue with the surrounding landscape.

Topographical logic and sculptural presence

The architecture of the new Civil Protection Centre stems directly from the specific parameters of its site. Situated on a trapezoidal plot, the design translates the plot boundaries directly into the building’s form. The result is a striking geometrical landmark that presents itself as a compact, monolithic form.

The building’s massing was carefully shaped to express its distinct functions and while the vehicle bay has a single storey, the crew and administrative facilities are organised across two levels. This variation in height gives rise to a distinctive sloping roof, which unifies both functional areas into a coherent architectural whole. The hose tower is at once a vertical landmark and a functional anchor point: it pierces the roofline like a widely visible stele and marks the presence of the institution in the public realm while complementing by the fire department’s emblem at its highest point.

Architecture for emergency operations

The internal organisation is driven by the practical requirements of emergency response. Short circulation routes and clearly structured workflows determine the arrangement of spaces across three levels.

The ground floor houses the vehicle bay with four parking stalls, the command room, changing rooms and a standby room. The movement patterns of the emergency personnel were meticulously factored into the design process to ensure maximum efficiency in emergency situations. The upper floor accommodates communal areas such as the kitchen and a training room. From here, direct views into the vehicle bay create a visual connection between the building’s different functional areas. The basement contains the technical infrastructure, storage areas and archive. A centrally located lift ensures barrier-free accessibility to all levels.

Insulating concrete as a defining element

The defining feature of the building is its exterior walls, made of green-pigmented insulating concrete. This material combines structural load-bearing capacity and thermal insulation into a single, monolithic construction. Depending on the specific requirements, mineral lightweight aggregates of varying grain sizes were blended with cement, water, and specialised additives. Beyond its thermal and structural performance, insulating concrete excels due to its durability, non-combustibility, and full recyclability. Its porous structure enhances thermal inertia, contributing to a stable and comfortable indoor climate while lending the façade a distinctive tactile depth. The structural frame and floor slabs were constructed in reinforced concrete. Generous aluminium windows with insulated glazing ensure bright, naturally-lit interiors, while robust materials such as resin flooring and steel and timber doors meet the demands of everyday operations.

The choice of colour is a subtle interplay with the environment: the green hue deliberately sets the building apart from the village’s more conventional palette of grey, white and beige. At the same time, the building establishes a dialogue with the landscape. Depending on the season and the angle of the sun, the perception of the building shifts: at times it stands out as a sculptural landmark within the village, while at others it appears to merge seamlessly with the forested slopes of the valley. The selected shade of green also extends into the interior spaces: concrete walls, resin floors, steel doors and furniture finishes are all rendered in the same tone, consistently reinforcing the building’s overarching design concept.

A new landmark for Eyrs/Oris

With the completion of the new Civil Protection Centre, the Eyrs/Oris Volunteer Fire Brigade has gained a highly functional, future-ready facility. At the same time, the project achieves an impact that extends well beyond its purely technical purpose. Its precise geometry, innovative use of insulating concrete and distinctive colour palette give the building a strong presence within the village landscape. The green monolith establishes itself as a new point of reference between village and landscape – a building that combines operational functionality with architectural ambition.

Office profile

Roland Baldi Architects, based in Bolzano/South Tyrol, covers a broad spectrum of projects which vary in scale, context and function - from public and private buildings to commercial buildings, urban planning and interior design. Their architecture is characterised by a great sensitivity for context, functionality and a contemporary design language: simple but different. An essential aspect is to reduce architecture to its very essence and its most simple form, even for the most complex of tasks. The use of pure materials and colours as well as the consideration of local references, results in a clear, high-quality and timeless architecture. In all phases of the project, the office’s approach has as its centrality the user and their needs and expectations. Beyond project-related research and planning, the office participates actively, critically and reflectively in current debates on contemporary architecture, art and design.

Some of the most important projects have been the Merano 2000 ropeway, the TechnoAlpin headquarters Bolzano, the Kindergarten Sluderno, the Civil protection centre Ritten, the Mobility centre Collalbo and many others. Many of the implemented projects have been awarded with national and international architecture awards and presented in reputable exhibitions (i.a. Biennale of Architecture São Paulo, Biennale of Architecture Venice, Premio Architettura Città di Oderzo, South Tyrolean Architecture Prize, best architects award, Iconic Awards, Premio Architetto dell'anno, Wood Architecture Prize).