Project Description:

As part of the on-going development in Citywest Business Campus, 2 new buildings are to be added to site number 2021. The site occupies a piece of land which is bounded by an N7 slip road to the north and Bianconi Avenue to the south. Citywest Avenue borders the west of the site while a plot of land occupied by the Eir building borders the east.

The development consists of

• Office building Block A comprising 6,625sqm Gross Floor Area (excluding basement). This building is 4 storeys high and 20m in height including a roof plant area.
• Office building Block B comprising 6,625sqm Gross Floor Area. This building is 4 storeys high and 20m in height including a roof plant area.
• Basement under Block A comprising 4,915sqm Gross Floor Area.
• A total of 433 parking spaces comprising 298 at basement level and 135 above ground.

The site is accessed from 2 new vehicular entrances proposed along Bianconi Avenue which are located approximately 85m apart. Each of these site entrances are located along an axis line with the building cores, with a carriageway leading to the entrances providing direct access.

The buildings are located towards the north of the site and respond to the geometry of the curved boundary, creating 2 curved glass façades facing out to the N7 dual carriage way.

The 2 buildings are set apart by a central landscaped area which is 24m wide. This space provides an external amenity area for building users which can be accessed directly from the buildings at ground floor level.

The Blocks are ‘L’ shaped, with the lift and stair core located centrally providing access to the office floor plates. The open plan floor plates have been designed to minimise the number of columns and allow for flexible layouts to suit future occupant requirements.

At ground floor level the core accommodates a reception area with seating, along with lifts, stairs and toilets. The core floor plate is reduced on the upper levels to create a full height central atrium which provides an abundance of light and space through the heart of the building. Each level is provided with lifts, stairs, and toilets in accordance with the current Building Regulations and British Council for Offices Guide 2009 – 2014.

Additional stair cases are provided at the gables of the buildings for emergency escape. These discharge directly to the outside and also provide escape from the basement in Block A.

The façade is predominately curtain wall glazing providing plenty of natural daylight into the working environment. The building is sealed (i.e. there are no proposed window openings) in order to achieve the required acoustic level, due to its’ proximity to a major road (N7). This results in a clean flush glass façade. Glass spandrel panels are proposed between the raised access floors and ceilings, which conceal the building horizontal service zones. The sealed building also provides the opportunity to adopt an energy efficient ventilation system.

The core and stair towers on the gables are expressed as vertical elements and clad in a cut stone. The stone is fixed in horizontal bands of varying height and the vertical joints are distributed in a random pattern.

A key design feature is the over-sailing canopy at the top of the building. This overhang is tapered slightly and provides solar shading to the top floor in addition to adding visual appeal to the buildings. The overhang is clad in aluminium with perpendicular joints at equal spacings.

The buildings are raised 450mm with 3no. steps inviting building users into the entrance. The entrance is marked by a two storey high aluminium clad portal containing a wind lobby at ground floor level. A horizontal glass canopy is cantilevered from a PFC channel at first floor level.