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PROJECT REPORT: COMMERCIAL & WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENTS


straightforward layout comprises four floors of offices above, a stair and lift core, and a flat, sedum and PV-covered roof. The triangles of the prow do not create awkward spaces, but instead “become nice corner offices with good views,” comments Simon Doody. “We embraced some of the structural aspects of a steel frame.” says Doody, such as where there’s a splice with “big bolts” in it; “we kind of ran with it,” he adds, alluding to how the architects carefully detailed the frame to celebrate its structure. The cantilevering powder-coated aluminium brise soleil ‘pleats’ to the facades are designed with a lace-like perforated trim, to avoid the feeling of a “heavy shutter” for the office workers inside, in a pattern again referring to that of girders. This attractive, somewhat ‘Moorish’-looking mosaic of triangles reappears on the metal soffit of the entrance canopy.


Smaller horizontal spandrel sections sit beneath these (apart from at the lowest level), help cover the columns and “allow opening vents that don’t sit in front of the columns,” says Doody, which allows flexibility of cross-ventilation. The architects developed a ‘ship-lap’ detail echoing ships hulls, with the cladding panels slightly overlapping, adding historic resonance and texture.


Interiors have expanses of exposed concrete, this being particularly effective in the reception area, with a careful acoustic treatment to balance this with coordinated wall panels with Rockwool behind. The rooflight, lined with reflective material, provides an eye-catching ceiling. The finishing architectural flourish to this important new building for the city is the dynamic courtyard, with planters running up gold-coloured inner facades with vertically oriented curtain walling contrasting with the exterior. There is a fantastic view of the bridge through the structural diagrid; as well as being attractive, the structure also avoids bracing to office windows, minimising visual disruption.


Conclusion


Cities across the world are thinking about what office buildings should be like after the pandemic, with questions being asked as to the validity of ‘standard’ offices in urban centres. However, the design strengths of the Beam means it “has probably hit the right note at the right


ADF JUNE 2021


43


© Daniel Hopkinson


time,” says its architect. In terms of how it provides a simple, low cost but also architecturally considered addition to its context, foregrounding sustainability and employee wellness, Simon Doody believes it represents a sign of things to come. As he concludes, “We might start shifting to more of these sorts of buildings.” The building has been shortlisted for a British Council Offices regional award, and has been shortlisted for the BCO’s national award. It has to be in with a great chance, particularly in the light of how The Beam fits so neatly into the national agenda for elevating localities such as this one using good design. 


PROJECT FACTFILE


Architects: Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios Client: Sunderland City Council Structural & civil engineering: Cundall Cost consultants: Gleeds M&E and sustainability: Desco Cost: £20m Net floor area: 5,500 m2


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