UK's 'greenest council building' now complete

The London Borough of Brent’s £85 million new civic centre has achieved practical completion ahead of its scheduled opening next month, project managers Turner & Townsend have announced.

Designed by Hopkins Architects, the team behind the London 2012 Velodrome, and built by Skanska, the building next to Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena consolidates many of the council’s operations on one site, providing space for council meetings, accommodation for 2,000 staff and the ability to host public events.

The building includes a naturally-lit foyer and atrium, which houses a large public amphitheatre and staircase that will host a programme of arts and cultural events.

A central interior feature is a circular structure – dubbed “The Drum at Wembley” - clad in timber fins and home to a multi-purpose community hall, library, one-stop shop and civic chamber.

Turner & Townsend said the civic centre had been awarded a BREEAM “outstanding” rating and was the first project in its category to make such an achievement.

The building is projected to produce 33 per cent less carbon emissions than a conventional building of similar proportions through features such solar shading, natural ventilation, a high-performance façade, and a combined cooling, heating and power system that utilises waste fish oil.

Turner & Townsend director David Walker said the civic centre was the most sustainable local-authority building so far completed in the UK.

“This was a challenging project requiring an uncompromising commitment to sustainability to meet the client’s regeneration mission, as well as the need to deliver an exceptionally designed and stylish multi-purpose building on budget and deadline,” he said.

Brent said the civic centre would open its doors for the first time on 10 June, with its new library opening one week later.