The new building on a challenging site in the heart of Hounslow Borough - at the intersection of the county’s main street - has received equivalent anodized aluminum facades. At the same time, a discreet and noticeable solution protects the interiors from the heat of the sun, without depriving them of natural light: from the “dangerous” sides, metal edges protrude more strongly, shading large windows.
The geometric theme is continued inside, where the main role is played by the “faceted” staircase in the atrium. The path from bottom to top through the entire building is highlighted in red and purple: its architects Sheppard Robson chose it for the lack of any political associations.
The first floor is occupied by a cafe and public spaces, the second - by a library, an adult education center and a registry office. Above, there are four floors with offices for officials, including the police and health services, and the seventh is the Hounslow County Council Hall. This hall, like the main entrance, is highlighted on the facades by double-height, vertically elongated windows.
The new, more compact and energy efficient £ 64m 16,000 m2 property was built as part of a council deal with a developer and housing association. In place of the former building of the district administration, a residential complex of 10 buildings with 919 apartments, including affordable ones, will appear.
