Prior to FaulknerBrowns’ redesign, the Chester-le-Street civic offices were spread over four buildings. Communication between departments was unsatisfactory and working conditions were poor. Our plan brought departments together and provided a more collaborative and positive working environment.
Having carried out a study of the organisation of the council and department relationships, we conceptualised the new, futuristic metal building, utilising the strength and simplicity of the wedge shape with clear internal organisation. This socially-driven project merged civic administration with community activity.
Civic
1982
Chester-le-Street, England
Client: Chester-le-Street District Council
Darlington Town Hall
Civic
1970
Darlington, England
Client: Darlington Corporation
Freeman's Reach
This project saw the regeneration of Durham City’s former ice rink site into an office space for National Savings & Investments, and new headquarters for HM Passport Office. The mixed-use masterplan also provides homes for 1200 of the agency’s staff and a new, attractive, riverside environment in place of a formerly derelict site.
The building combines modern architecture with a respect for the historic context, harmonising with the surrounding cityscape, particularly the nearby UNESCO world heritage-listed cathedral and castle. The brickwork matches the local vernacular, and the zinc coated aluminium used on the roofscape and oriels weather and darken to blend with the surrounding slate and lead roofs. A clean, open-plan workplace with extensive glazing provides unparalleled views of the Durham skyline.
Underpinning the project is a focus on efficiency and simplicity. FaulknerBrowns helped to achieve this by pushing the agenda beyond the site boundary and building an alliance with adjacent stakeholders. By building these relations, we agreed to source 90% of the buildings’ annual electrical energy from the city centre hydro-turbine.
Masterplan · Civic · Commercial
2015
Durham, England
Client: Carillion Developments
Grainger Market
Civic · Culture
Ongoing
Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Client: Newcastle City Council
Newcastle Civic Centre
FaulknerBrown’s redevelopment of Newcastle Civic Centre sought to preserve and enhance one of the city’s most important heritage assets. The Grade II* listed building blends rich history with modern architecture, consisting of a tower and connecting low-rise base with a central plaza.
Our redesign extended the building’s capacity as a civic venue and improved environmental performance, reducing energy consumption by 30%. We created a new entrance to resolve circulation and security issues, adding flexible, informal seating and a public café.
We also enclosed the ground-floor colonnade with a frameless glass façade, creating space for meeting pods that are aligned behind existing columns to minimise their visual impact.
Civic
2020
Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Client: Newcastle City Council
Number One Riverside
Number One Riverside is a multi-use office building overlooking the River Roch. It houses civic and third-party offices, the central library and the council customer service centre. The modern building was a catalyst for regeneration in the area, uniting previously disparate workspaces.
As well as being operationally efficient, FaulknerBrowns designed the building to be highly energy efficient; featuring solar panels, a biomass boiler, and a green roof that harvests rainwater and provides insulation.
Our design solution embodies the concept of an office as a versatile living space: the floorplan is divided into a variety of zones that are tuned to specific work processes, but still promotes knowledge-sharing through the interconnected, weaving floorplates.
