Vitra Fire Station, Deconstructivist fire station on Vitra Campus, Weil am Rhein, Germany.
The Vitra Fire Station covers about 852 square meters (9,175 square feet) and features sharp concrete planes that intersect at unexpected angles, creating a sense of frozen movement and structural tension throughout the building.
Completed in 1993, the fire station was Zaha Hadid's first realized building and established her reputation as a leading deconstructivist architect after years of conceptual work that had remained largely unbuilt before this project.
The building functions now as an exhibition space rather than an operational fire station, displaying furniture and design pieces that reflect the broader cultural role of the Vitra Campus as a center for architectural innovation and experimentation.
Located at Müllheimer Strasse 56, the fire station is open Monday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and visitors can view the exterior and interior spaces as part of guided tours of the Vitra Campus.
The structure's layered concrete walls and tilted surfaces create the impression of a building caught in motion, designed to embody the readiness and urgency associated with emergency response even though it never served that function.
Location: Weil am Rhein
Inception: 1993
Architects: Zaha Hadid
Architectural style: deconstructivism
Part of: Vitra Campus
Address: Müllheimer Str. 56, 79576 Weil am Rhein, Germany 79576 Weil am Rhein
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-18:00
Phone: +4976217020
Website: https://vitra.com/about-vitra/campus/architecture/architecture-fire-station
GPS coordinates: 47.60036,7.61463
Latest update: December 1, 2025 08:27
Postmodern architecture emerged in the 1970s as a response to the rigid principles of modernism, reintroducing color, ornament, and historical references into contemporary building design. The movement evolved over decades, producing structures that challenge conventional forms and experiment with different materials and surfaces. These buildings demonstrate varied approaches to design, from playful facades to complex geometric constructions, showing how architects employ new technologies while engaging with historical stylistic elements. The collection includes cultural institutions such as the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and Casa da Música in Porto, public buildings like Seattle Central Library and Almere City Hall, and religious structures such as the Jubilee Church in Rome. Other examples include the SIS Building in London, Dancing House in Prague, and Niterói Contemporary Art Museum in Rio de Janeiro. The Louvre Pyramid in Paris and the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus show different interpretations of postmodern principles. The Piazza d'Italia in New Orleans with its colored colonnades and the Portland Building with its decorated facade represent early postmodern works in the United States.
Vitra Design Museum
372 m
Three Countries Bridge
2.1 km
Laguna Badeland
1.6 km
Landscape Formation One
1.7 km
Palmrain
1.6 km
Vitra Slide Tower
207 m
Schlaich Tower
1.3 km
Grenzbrücke Weil am Rhein–Basel
1.8 km
Ottilienkirche
2 km
Schaudepot
41 m
Castle Friedlingen
743 m
Rheinpark
1.9 km
Peter and Paul Church
703 m
Haltingen water tower
463 m
St. Georg (Weil am Rhein)
1.6 km
Friedensbrücke
972 m
Church Alt-Weil (Weil am Rhein)
1.4 km
Church of the Good Shepherd
1.4 km
Church St. Maria (Weil am Rhein)
1.2 km
Krebsbachtal
619 m
Johanneskirche
751 m
Friedenskirche (Weil am Rhein)
1.3 km
Kiesgrube Käppelin
1.9 km
Tüllinger Berg und Tongrube Rümmingen
2 km
Wasserturm Friedlingen
1.7 km
Fabrikationshallen von Vitra
298 m
Balancing Tools
399 m
Vitra-Produktionsgebäude
116 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes