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PROJECT REPORT: CULTURAL, CIVIC & FAITH BUILDINGS
two large offi ce buildings framing it on either side. These offi ces include naturally anodised fi ns which provide solar shading to the workspace inside, as well as helping to “further accentuate the dramatic entrance archway.” Workshops were placed along the northern edge of the site, “to create a visual and acoustic buffer between the M4 motorway to the north, and sound stages to the south,” explains Lebidineuse. At the centre of the site is what’s known as The Hub – a dining area which overlooks a recreational green space.
TWIN WALL
The twin wall design saw a steel frame initially constructed, then the external face of the interior wall was built to act as a weatherproof layer
The fi nal cut
Once all the practical and functional elements of the brief had been discussed and fi nalised, the team focused on the aesthetic details – though much of these practical considerations still fed into the overall look. “Robust materials and a simple colour palette were used to suit high pedestrian areas and help the scheme integrate into its surroundings,” Lebidineuse explains. The studios were fi nished with a dark grey profi le metal cladding in order to reduce the perceived mass of the studios within the surrounding landscape, Lebidineuse continues. It contrasts with an impressive three storey yellow portico with ‘Shinfi eld Studios’ in Hollywood- style lettering above, signposting the entrance. The bright yellow colour has been referenced and continued throughout the site in wayfi nding.
As with every aspect of the project,
wayfi nding and the layout and placement of various elements have been thoughtfully considered. Dictated by the landscape and stream to an extent, the site was ‘split’ into two, accessed from the south via the main entrance. The entrance itself comprises the three storey Shinfi eld Studios sign, with
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Before the University of Reading had gained outline planning for a science park masterplan, the land had previously been an agricultural site, so some design decisions were also made to reference the vernacular of agricultural buildings. For example, the buildings feature simple low profi le pitched roofs, the profi led metal cladding, and robust materials such as block concrete fl ooring. As well as offering a source of inspiration, the site did also present some challenges. In addition to the proximity of the M4 causing acoustic issues needing to be overcome, the topography meant water drainage was a challenge, which was mitigated by above and below ground sustainable drainage systems. The decision to split the plot in two was partially infl uenced by an existing stream that runs from the north of the site to a river on the south. “The natural segregation of the site has been used to defi ne two groupings of sound stages and enhanced to provide the attractive recreational green space at the heart of the complex,” says Lebidineuse. The sustainability drive also played a role in fi nal decisions. The studios have been designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent certifi cation – an ambition since the project’s conception. “Fundamental to achieving this was the structural solution which enabled greater effi ciency onsite, helped minimise materials required, and resulted in highly insulated buildings that require minimal heating,” Lebidineuse explains.
The reduction of waste was also an important design consideration, given the constant change and adaptation the studios would be undergoing as productions changed: “The key was to provide fl exible spaces that act as a blank canvas for productions to make their own, therefore reducing waste associated with fi t out and
ADF JULY/AUGUST 2025
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