Competition -
ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT_
The relationship between the civic square and the County Council offices has to be significant and make a strong contribution to the urban framework being proposed for the area. In this proposal, the creation of a large pedestrian ramp achieves a strong link from the civic square to the building. The arrangement also works to enhance the significant presence, in terms of both scale and prestige of the proposed Local Authority offices when viewed from the civic square.
The large pedestrian ramp facing the civic square, climbs the slope the ‘internal’ civic space connecting the Council Chamber and the office building. This space extends externally northwards and allows a panoramic views of the whole urban framework area . The extension of the internal civic space to the external northern space emphasizes the spatial relations between the new building and the Master Plan, anchoring the project in the proposed urban design.
The intention of the site strategy is to use the Council Chamber as the dominant focal point, using large open spaces to emphasize this volume with the administration building defining the western edge of the approach.
The whole Northern area of the competition site is intended as an area of exclusive pedestrian access. A parking area for 140 vehicles is placed under the office building while an external parking area for 235 vehicles is situated at the Southern end of the site following a design that does not disturb the proposed vegetation backdrop. This strategy prevents cars from becoming a visually polluting factor and preserves the institutional and civic image of the County Council.
The project also allows the proposed decentralized offices for the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the chance to develop a proposal which can also establish a strong connection with the civic square.
Landscaping Strategy
Both for practical reasons and as a mark of respect for the area’s tradition, our landscaping strategy uses the existing planting but replaces scrub plants with large trees. We intend to keep in the present design the traditional local use of ditches as a division of agricultural lands.
In the Western and Northern areas, the proposed planting scheme will serve as a wind barrier and, in relation to the external parking area, as a source of shade that also screen cars when viewed from the building.
Since it will be in a closer relationship with public use, only the open park area facing the Council Chamber to the North is proposed as a lawn dotted with light foliage trees that do not prevent panoramic views.
The Project
Main Entrance / Internal civic space
The Project is centered on the Main Entrance/Internal Civic Space that connects the different components of the building – the Council Chamber, the office and public areas – as well as the surrounding park.
This space is situated in a way that allows access both from the North (civic space, open pedestrian path) and the South (connecting it to the parking area), and it also links the ground floors of the office building and the Council Chamber (which are not at the same level).
This space, resulting from the meeting of the building’s two main components, serves on the one side as an access common to the Council Chamber and the office area and also fulfils the spatial needs entailed by civic ceremonies, presentations, exhibitions, etc.
Council Chamber
The Council Chamber stands on a stone platform over the site’s slope and rotated in relation to the office building, which is placed longitudinally in a North/South line.
Designed with an internal solid wall and an external glazed one, it is conceived as a big lantern when the artificial light is turn on and as a cube of solid glass standing on the lawn when is turn off. Considering its position on the site it can be seen from a considerable distance even at night as a beacon in the horizon.
Office Building
The public can move easily through the building’s ‘spine’, that connects all departments in a simple and direct way. As one moves inside the building toward the North, the slope increases the distance between the office floors and the ground outside, and one may enjoy –free from the visual hindrances of a conventional ground floor- impressive views of the surrounding area.
Flexibility of Use/Future Expansion
Our proposal aims to remain as simple as possible given the flexibility needs suggested in the competition’s brief. Therefore, the office blocks are all connected by a long straight bar (the building’s ‘spine’) and allow the design of different office formats through the use of light partitions. The future construction of further office blocks on top of the existing ones can easily be undertaken without disturbing the present plan for public movement within the building or the employees’ working environment.
The concrete structure is composed of a structural module of 8m x 8m that underlies the general design of the whole building.
The Building Environment
The building’s more controllable orientation (the North-South axis) is reserved for the office area, using shallow depth blocks, while the extensive and striking surrounding views are destined for general public use.
Courtyards are oriented towards the West and protected from the wind and the sun by solid concrete walls extended by the stairwells located at the end of each building volume , thus creating a comfortable working environment, preserved from external noises.
North and south facades are articulated differently to control solar
gain according to their orientation
Toward the North, the building’s perimeter is closed with thermal curtain walls to take maximum advantage of sunlight. Additional glass panels inside the building are proposed as a way to avoid glare.
Toward the South, floors are extended into eaves that shield the building from direct sunlight.
The movement of the public, oriented toward the Northeast, is projected along a three-story high atrium-like space with a continuous skylight roof. Besides facilitating vistas and enriching the space, the skylight roof and the windows, controlled by the Building Control System can be opened in summer to help lessen the impact of sunlight or remain closed in winter to preserve heat, turning the project into a wholly naturally ventilated office by cross ventilation.
'Stack effect' ventilation draws air from the atrium space. High level windows controlled by the Building Control System remain closed. Low level windows and vertical vents are opened by the occupant as required. Perimeter radiator heating is operated by the Building Control System.
Beyond the specific configuration of each façade, a mixed system of wood panels and continuous thermal glass walls solves the building’s sunlight and thermal protection requirements, among others. These panels can be arranged to enhance solar gain or to guard from it according to the specific demands of each façade.
This façade system replaces mechanical ventilation, and maximizes the use of environment. The building's environmental control systems can maintain a comfortable indoor working environment whatever the external environmental conditions may be.
Given the extensive scale of the site, the opportunity should also be taken to deal with all the surface water generated. It is proposed that the surface car park and the main entrance ramp provide adequate opportunity to naturally attenuate the surface water run off from the building and hard surfaces generally.
Competition -
ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT_
The relationship between the civic square and the County Council offices has to be significant and make a strong contribution to the urban framework being proposed for the area. In this proposal, the creation of a large pedestrian ramp achieves a strong link from the civic square to the building. The arrangement also works to enhance the significant presence, in terms of both scale and prestige of the proposed Local Authority offices when viewed from the civic square.
The large pedestrian ramp facing the civic square, climbs the slope the ‘internal’ civic space connecting the Council Chamber and the office building. This space extends externally northwards and allows a panoramic views of the whole urban framework area . The extension of the internal civic space to the external northern space emphasizes the spatial relations between the new building and the Master Plan, anchoring the project in the proposed urban design.
The intention of the site strategy is to use the Council Chamber as the dominant focal point, using large open spaces to emphasize this volume with the administration building defining the western edge of the approach.
The whole Northern area of the competition site is intended as an area of exclusive pedestrian access. A parking area for 140 vehicles is placed under the office building while an external parking area for 235 vehicles is situated at the Southern end of the site following a design that does not disturb the proposed vegetation backdrop. This strategy prevents cars from becoming a visually polluting factor and preserves the institutional and civic image of the County Council.
The project also allows the proposed decentralized offices for the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the chance to develop a proposal which can also establish a strong connection with the civic square.
Landscaping Strategy
Both for practical reasons and as a mark of respect for the area’s tradition, our landscaping strategy uses the existing planting but replaces scrub plants with large trees. We intend to keep in the present design the traditional local use of ditches as a division of agricultural lands.
In the Western and Northern areas, the proposed planting scheme will serve as a wind barrier and, in relation to the external parking area, as a source of shade that also screen cars when viewed from the building.
Since it will be in a closer relationship with public use, only the open park area facing the Council Chamber to the North is proposed as a lawn dotted with light foliage trees that do not prevent panoramic views.
The Project
Main Entrance / Internal civic space
The Project is centered on the Main Entrance/Internal Civic Space that connects the different components of the building – the Council Chamber, the office and public areas – as well as the surrounding park.
This space is situated in a way that allows access both from the North (civic space, open pedestrian path) and the South (connecting it to the parking area), and it also links the ground floors of the office building and the Council Chamber (which are not at the same level).
This space, resulting from the meeting of the building’s two main components, serves on the one side as an access common to the Council Chamber and the office area and also fulfils the spatial needs entailed by civic ceremonies, presentations, exhibitions, etc.
Council Chamber
The Council Chamber stands on a stone platform over the site’s slope and rotated in relation to the office building, which is placed longitudinally in a North/South line.
Designed with an internal solid wall and an external glazed one, it is conceived as a big lantern when the artificial light is turn on and as a cube of solid glass standing on the lawn when is turn off. Considering its position on the site it can be seen from a considerable distance even at night as a beacon in the horizon.
Office Building
The public can move easily through the building’s ‘spine’, that connects all departments in a simple and direct way. As one moves inside the building toward the North, the slope increases the distance between the office floors and the ground outside, and one may enjoy –free from the visual hindrances of a conventional ground floor- impressive views of the surrounding area.
Flexibility of Use/Future Expansion
Our proposal aims to remain as simple as possible given the flexibility needs suggested in the competition’s brief. Therefore, the office blocks are all connected by a long straight bar (the building’s ‘spine’) and allow the design of different office formats through the use of light partitions. The future construction of further office blocks on top of the existing ones can easily be undertaken without disturbing the present plan for public movement within the building or the employees’ working environment.
The concrete structure is composed of a structural module of 8m x 8m that underlies the general design of the whole building.
The Building Environment
The building’s more controllable orientation (the North-South axis) is reserved for the office area, using shallow depth blocks, while the extensive and striking surrounding views are destined for general public use.
Courtyards are oriented towards the West and protected from the wind and the sun by solid concrete walls extended by the stairwells located at the end of each building volume , thus creating a comfortable working environment, preserved from external noises.
North and south facades are articulated differently to control solar
gain according to their orientation
Toward the North, the building’s perimeter is closed with thermal curtain walls to take maximum advantage of sunlight. Additional glass panels inside the building are proposed as a way to avoid glare.
Toward the South, floors are extended into eaves that shield the building from direct sunlight.
The movement of the public, oriented toward the Northeast, is projected along a three-story high atrium-like space with a continuous skylight roof. Besides facilitating vistas and enriching the space, the skylight roof and the windows, controlled by the Building Control System can be opened in summer to help lessen the impact of sunlight or remain closed in winter to preserve heat, turning the project into a wholly naturally ventilated office by cross ventilation.
'Stack effect' ventilation draws air from the atrium space. High level windows controlled by the Building Control System remain closed. Low level windows and vertical vents are opened by the occupant as required. Perimeter radiator heating is operated by the Building Control System.
Beyond the specific configuration of each façade, a mixed system of wood panels and continuous thermal glass walls solves the building’s sunlight and thermal protection requirements, among others. These panels can be arranged to enhance solar gain or to guard from it according to the specific demands of each façade.
This façade system replaces mechanical ventilation, and maximizes the use of environment. The building's environmental control systems can maintain a comfortable indoor working environment whatever the external environmental conditions may be.
Given the extensive scale of the site, the opportunity should also be taken to deal with all the surface water generated. It is proposed that the surface car park and the main entrance ramp provide adequate opportunity to naturally attenuate the surface water run off from the building and hard surfaces generally.