Regional Winner Corporate Workplace South of England (outside M25) and South Wales
Chelsea Building Society won the Corporate Workplace South of England (Outside M25) and South Wales category.
The regional judges felt this was a well thought out and executed project, which addressed the occupiers current needs and allows future expansion or contraction. The site had a number of constraints which clearly affected the siting and layout, car parking and relationship with adjoining housing and woodland. The judges admired the efficient and logical solution of two separate, but linked, buildings which they felt provide a combination of efficient open plan offices, conference and training areas, communal restaurant and other space. These clearly suit the current needs of the business, as well as allowing future expansion and flexible change in primary use, such as from training to offices or vice versa, both cheaply and easily. There is also the ability to downsize into one self-contained building, which required foresight and extra investment.
Orientation and elevation have been used to limit the impact on nearby homes and maximise the benefit of the wooded backdrop, making maximum use of glazing and natural light.
Hoare Lea acted as environmental, mechanical and electrical engineer ensuring that thermal environmental performance, engineering systems design, future adaptability and energy efficiency were integral to the design. Key features include ground source heat pumps and comfort cooling provided via displacement ventilation with passive chilled beams.
