Cellular Operations
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John N Maclean Download Original
An experimental design of curved glazing and playfully complex interior structures for a Swindon call centre
The building is conceived of as an extrusion of two elements. There is a linear horizontal block, which is clad in black insulating sheet material holding huge sheets of solar-shading capillary glass. These are punctuated with a series of horizontal and vertical windows-within-windows that allow the users a glimpse out.
By contrast the south elevation is a complex curvilinear glass armature which snakes along the waterfront elevation, wrapping around to form a nose which functions as the main entrance.
Once inside, the nose is constructed from a complex series of structural tubes that take planar glazing fixings. The language of the curve is carried through to the reception desk that is a collage of stainless steel ‘scales’. On turning the corner the desk becomes a coffee bar with a neon sign above.
Within the body of the space the regular layout of work stations sits perpendicular to the black-box facade, while the clear-glazed enclosure creates a meandering break-out zone.
The second floor of the building steps back along the south elevation in section revealing a double-curved concrete soffit which has a clear-glazed handrail embedded into the nib.
Data
- Begun: Dec 1998
- Completed: Dec 1999
- Floor area: 4,313m2
- Sector: Office
- Total cost: £6.1M
- Tender date: Jun 1998
- Procurement: Design and Build
- Address: Century Road, Swindon, SN5 5DR , United Kingdom
Professional Team 
- Architect: Richard Hywel Evans
- Project architects: Hayley Wade, Peitro Granaiola, Richard Hywel Evans, Rick Voss, Simon Leslie
- Client: Highgate Properties and Cellular Operations
- Quantity surveyor: E.C. Harris
- Structural engineer: Fulcrum Consulting/ WW
- Services engineer: Curona Design
- Main contractor: Tilbury Douglas
Suppliers
- M&E consultant: PBS
- Glass facade: Pilkington Glass Ltd and Modern Art Glass Ltd
- Stair metalwork: Mitchell Gate
- Cladding: Euro Clad
- Lighting : Zumbotel Lightning GmbH
- Steel tubular beams: Tubeworkers