No, this isn’t a supervillain lair, just “Im Fels,” a volunteer fire station in the Italian Alps. Designed by Bermeister Wolf, the structure was built directly into the base of a 300-foot cliff that overlooks tilled land and is far less menacing that it may seem at first glance. The community decided upon this design to minimize the loss of valuable agricultural land in the area. Explosives were used to create the three giant rooms in the rock face, two of which are designated as garages for emergency vehicles, with the third being used for the main facilities. Continue reading for more pictures and information.
The interior features plenty of wood / steel accents, while the insulation provided by the natural granite foundation helps keep the cavernous rooms warm in the winter and cool during the summer. Triple-insulated glazing was used to regulate the temperature of the main room, and the dark facade was meant to evoke the color and texture of charred wood.