The Forum

The building provides a modern, open plan, light and airy work environment, allowing better collaboration between members of various departments.

South Northamptonshire Council

Client South Northamptonshire Council / Morgan Sindall
Location Towcester, Northamptonshire
Completion 2014
Cost £6.8m

Services

RIBA stages 1-6
Architectural design
Feasibility study
Interior design

Awards

BCO Awards – Best Corporate Workplace (shortlisted)
Brick Awards – Best Commercial Building (shortlisted)

This BREEAM Good building is the centrepiece of South Northamptonshire Council’s £45 million Towcester Regeneration and Civic Accommodation Project. The building comprises a library, civic offices, council chamber and a variety of community uses.

Office and community uses are combined seamlessly into one building. Shared facilities such as meeting rooms avoids duplication of functions and minimises rooms lying unused, increasing spatial efficiency and reducing running costs and energy use.

The building is arranged in two blocks positioned either side of a central atrium. The atrium brings light into the building and assists the ventilation and cooling strategy. It also acts as an organisational device, linking the various functions with access directly off a new civic space.

Office floor plate depths are designed to allow optimum levels of flexibility for future uses, whilst allowing natural light to penetrate the spaces.

The council chamber is designed to allow a range of different activities – from council meetings and training events to public lectures cultural performances and weddings.