SCALA Civic Building of the Year Competition, 2007
Highly Commended
Norfolk County Council
Hethel Engineering Centre
This project is a £5 million initiative led by Norfolk County Council, in partnership with South Norfolk Council, EEDA and other key Norfolk business/engineering partnerships (Norfolk Engineering Excellence/Shaping the Future/Business Link.) The site was made available by Lotus Cars and is adjacent to their manufacturing site.
It will promote Norfolk as a knowledge-based County, whilst boosting the performance of its traditional industrial and manufacturing bases. Its association with racing car constructors and cutting edge technical supply chain will promote Norfolk as a County of opportunity and modern engineering excellence.
Its sleek, dynamic and powerful image reflects the technological innovation it seeks to inspire.
Approaching the main entrance visitors cross a simple elegant curved bridge over a reflective pool. The building is mainly clad with metallic silver-grey composite wall panels. The office suite is defined by an innovative cedar louvred wall system. In contrast, the panels windows and frames are finished with dark grey aluminium.
The building is orientated to provide good natural daylight to all offices and circulation spaces are top lit. Offices are naturally ventilated and both offices and workspaces are heated and cooled by air-to-heat pumps. Excavated soil was used on site as part of the landscape design.
The landscaping features sustainable surface water drainage systems (SUDS), extensive planting and microclimate conditioning, and external lighting designed to reduce light pollution.
- Architect, Quantity Surveyor, Mechanical and Electrical Engineer, Project Manager:
- NPS Property Consultants Ltd
- Structural Engineer:
- Calvert Brain and Fraulo
- Main Contractor:
- Mansell Construction Services Ltd
- Landscape Architect:
- Wynne-Williams Associates
