RAC Regional Control Centre, Bristol
RAC Regional Control Centre, Bristol
Transforming an otherwise nondescript road-locked site at the intersection of the M4 and M5 outside Bristol, this highly visible £10.5m building is an energy efficient, technologically advanced headquarter building that advertises the organisation’s qualities to motorway users.
The building comprises three storeys of offices with a high quality exposed concrete frame and specially designed coffered floor slabs which have been painted and left exposed as the finished ceiling. A tower climbs from the atrium to support a gallery 24m above the ground, offering spectacular views to the west over the Severn Estuary. The services are all located within a deep raised floor zone with perimeter extract.
We were proactively involved in the conceptual stages of the project with architects Grimshaw and as a result we were able to generate clear engineering principles for what is a highly complex building. We also worked with the architect to develop a tailored support system for the glazing which resulted in significant cost savings over the planar system. The building is almost entirely glazed, giving expansive views out and providing natural light for office users. Glare is mediated by external silver-grey access walkways that also act as sun-shading louvres. The 35-metre-high meeting room cements the building’s singular presence: suspended from two blue steel spires, it can be seen from miles in the distance.
“10 years on, Bradley Stoke continues to reflect the values of the RAC. The exterior is bold and challenging – a statement of the future. The interior stimulates interaction and teamwork, so that together we make a difference.”
- Peter Smith, Former Chairman, RAC
Client: RAC Motoring Services Ltd
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