Glass and stone in harmony
Lightspan 60 joins two grade-II listed tithe barns into a single, centre-piece
European headquarters for the Coleman Moore design consultancy.
Unity and modernity comes from echoing the steep pitch of the traditional
Northamptonshire barn roofs in glass. Between the two buildings lies a naturally-lit
atrium that inspires creativity and clients in equal measure.
Architect: Zielinski Baker & Partners
Builder: Axim Projects
Value: £45,000
Sounding off
An imposing glass canopy and steeply-glazed foyer bring a sense of occasion to the
Stables, Milton Keynes' premier live music spot. While the canopy reaches out to welcome
guests, the smoke vents within the foyer maintain comfort against the cool breeze of
jazz and the heat of heavy metal.
This delicately-ribbed and integrated structure required very little steelwork.
For the Stables, Lightspan 60 was sound value for money.
Architect: Sansome Hall Architects
Builder: John Sisk & Son Ltd
Value: £95,000
Not a square corner in sight
The North Wiltshire District Council (NWDC) offices in Chippenham present
Lightspan 50 and 60 with a thermal and geometrical challenge.
Natural ventilation draws waste heat through the upstands of the central atrium's
glazed roof. At the same time, slopes and non-square angles were designed into every
level of the tapering atrium. Nevertheless, the electrically-operated upstand windows
perform perfectly, earning the NWDC offices an 'excellent' rating and a record 41 out
of 42 points according to the Building Research Establishment Environmental
Assessment Method.
Architect: David Kent Architects
Builder: Jarvis plc
Value: £240,000
