The design was commenced after the client had contracted with a Belgian company for a steel framed, aluminium curtain wall
clad building, on a very tight design timetable.
The client, manufacturer of Solar Electric Generating plants, wanted a building to project the image of a high-tech solar
enterprise in the design, and to emphasise a sense of teamwork in the company, with integration of different departments
into a cohesive entity.
The main entrance leads into a 4 storey atrium, with all the office departments linked across it on half levels by the main
circulation stairs of the building, creating connectivity, continuity and interaction between departments.
The lower level gives access to the manufacturing departments, on three ground levels stepping down the slope.
All departments were open to the atrium, which served as a winter solar heating plenum, with its large clear glazed south
facing window cutting diagonally across the building.
The other elevations are all highly insulated with large reflective double glazed windows for daylighting, and insulated glazed panels.
