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‘the circular debating space is modest and functional whilst conferring an air of civic significance to proceedings’
rants process. The authorities are also looking for overlap in shared back office functionality, although the council was unwilling to give actual savings before a five year mon- itoring process has been completed. For all its grandeur, the Civic Centre, built by contrac-
tor Laing O’Rourke, was designed to provide value of money in the context of public finance. For example, the thermal mass of a concrete structure may have provided some environmental benefits, but a steel frame was select- ed as this was more cost effective and quicker to build. The partners were extremely concerned that the centre
would be a wise purchase for the people of West Lothian. Indeed, during design of the circular council chamber there were rumblings about whether creating a dedicated space for council meetings might be extravagant (and unpopular). Although perhaps grand by the standards of the council’s previous chamber, the circular debating space is modest and functional whilst conferring an air of civic significance to proceedings. Other details are disappoint- ing such as the council’s selection of humdrum chairs on the bridges of the office street lending a somewhat mourn- ful air to what is otherwise an inspiring space, and in back of house areas finishes are dictated by function. For instance, the secure corridor linking the cells to the courts couldn’t be more basic, being of painted block. Yet money has been spent on the finishes where it
matters, and materials used include limestone, hardwood panelling, zinc and brass cladding. The central civic atrium, is soaring, bright, and architecturally intriguing and inspiring. Here and in the office street, the floors are paved with English Burlington slate which, according to BDP architect director Bruce Kennedy, was one of the few British stones affordable within the budget. As apart from the operational and back office efficien-
cies, the creative results of co- locating services, and the syn- ergies and other time and motion-type concepts, the fact is that the people of West Lothian have been given a building that instils a sense of dignity in the judicial and leg- islative processes which it sup- ports. In this age of wide- spread cynicism about our human but admirable demo- cratic process, this has to be a good thing.
Project Client – West Lothian Council, Lothian & Borders Police & Scottish Courts Service Owner – West Lothian Council, Lothian & Borders Police & Scottish Courts Service Project Manager – Turner & Townsend Project Management Quantity Surveyor – Gardiner & Theobald Lead Consultant & Design Team Leader – BDP Brief Consultant – BDP Architect – BDP Interior Designer – BDP Landscape Architect – BDP M&E Engineer – AECOM Structural Engineer – Halcrow Yolles Contractor – Laing O'Rourke
© Paul Zanre
© David Barbour
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