Detailed plans of how Northern Ireland’s first Fire Station and Community Fire Safety Centre could look have been unveiled.

Leading Ulster architectural firm Knox & Clayton was one of just six companies chosen by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) to present their vision for the new £1.4m scheme.

The firm created the modern design for the Fire and Rescue Service, who required a new community fire safety centre open to the public, as well as a fully functioning station.

The Knox & Clayton design for the modern 8,000 square foot building in Armagh will mark the first in a programme of investment in new-look Fire Stations right across Northern Ireland.

The current Fire Station in Armagh, staffed by 20 Firefighters, is situated in Upper English Street, Armagh and the proposal is to build the new Fire Station and Community Fire Safety Centre on a Greenfield site at Loughgall Road - close to the city centre.

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The three-winged modern complex designed by Knox & Clayton’s Partner Jiradej Ermongkonchai and project architect Simon Holland was a clear winner.

Jiradej explained the challenges facing the design team: "It was quite different in that it was a completely new approach to fire station design, getting away from the traditional look with the big red doors at the front and designing something that was user-friendly and welcoming to the community.

"We designed a three-winged building with a central entrance leading off to the community area, the appliance bay and the fire-fighters area.

"The community fire safety area is at the front of the building with the appliance bay concealed by trees at the rear."

Knox & Clayton’s design also incorporates the very latest in sustainable and renewable energy including geothermal heat pump for under floor heating, solar tubes, rainwater harvesting, water conservation and heat recovery system.

Added Jiradej: "We are very excited to be given the chance to work on such a prestigious public building and be given the opportunity to create a new image for the Fire and Rescue Service in Northern Ireland."

(LC/SP)