Center for Environmental Protection / MVA
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Text description provided by architects The CZO Building (Center for Environmental Protection), is located in Krapinske Toplice in the northwestern region of Croatia. The building houses the office and services of the Voluntary Fire Brigade. It is a mono-volume with a varied profile in both plans and sections. The central core of the building is a two-story office tower. There are multiple spaces for vehicles, equipment, and a fire tower.
The white metal envelope is made up of insulated panels combined with expanded metal mesh. The envelope is a combination construction, with a reinforced concrete core at the center and a light steel structure in the rest.
Material differences are what distinguish spaces. White metal rooms house the vehicles while the work and leisure areas are finished in concrete. The red color of the surfaces marks the communication routes for firefighters.
The tower is used primarily for firefighters training, but it is also a landmark and a sign in landscape. Its steel structure is clearly visible through the metal mesh curtain, demonstrating the utilitarian nature of the architecture.
