Brent Civic Centre

London, UK

Project
Summary

This landmark Civic Centre building for Brent Council is located within the Wembley regeneration area, opposite Wembley Arena and Wembley Stadium. The new development will realise the Council’s vision for a community building, consolidating their civic, public and administrative functions onto one site.

Scope

Unitised curtain wall facades to office floor plates.

Tensioned point fixed suspended glass facades enclosing the atria entrance.

Structural silicone glazed facades to the star cores

Steel and glass stick systems with integral glass brise soleil to the front elevation

Unitised double glazed facades with sound attenuating timber spandrels.

Insulated panel system with ribbon windows and timber fin mullions to the Civic Drum.

Key
Facts

12 floors

170 containers of material

16 different facade types

16,600m2 of façade

Innovative use of timber within the facades

Facing
challenges

The design intent involved the use of many and varied facade system types, resulting in numerous and complex interfaces during both the design and installation phases of this project. The design constraints demanded the use of large format factory pre-fabricated curtain wall elements and site assembled stick system.

This presented the Site Installation Teams with numerous logistical challenges where attention to detail was critical.

Sustainability

The building has been awarded the coveted BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating, the first project in its catgory to achieve this, featuring a 33% reduction in carbon emissions due to a combination of solar shading, natural ventilation, high-performance façades and combined cooling, heating and power systems. It is the most sustainable local authority building to have been completed in the UK.

Public
Space

The building’s spaces are arranged around a soaring, naturally-lit foyer and atrium which houses a large public amphitheatre and staircase that host a programme of high-quality arts and cultural experiences that further enhance the building. A circular Drum clad in timber fins features prominently in this space and houses a multi-purpose community hall, library, one-stop shop and civic chamber.

Client

Brent Council

Architects

Hopkins Architects

Main Contractor

Skanska

Facade Consultant

-

Location

UK, London, Brent

Sector

Office/ public building

Contract Type

Design & Build

Timeline

Completed Q4 2012

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