While working for Austin Smith Lord Architects Brian MacEntee was project director responsible for delivering a landmark building for the Welsh Assembly Government at Llandudno Junction, North Wales.
The new offices demonstrate best practice and innovation in office environments providing exciting and efficient places for staff to work. The building also improves on standards of accessibility and communications, and stimulated economic growth in the local area but most importantly provides better work environments for Assembly staff.
The building consists of three “fingers” of office space connected by two double height atria spaces linking the three wings. It has an area of 8800 sq m and houses 650 civil servants.
External materials of the building reflect local materials with the extensive use of natural slate from the local quarry at Penrhyn. The slate has been machine cut and polished to form a rain screen cladding system to the external walls. The polished finish provides fascinating veins of green and gold while the string courses are finished in matt flame.
The areas of copper which create a ‘seam’ running through the main circulation route, this is a reference to the copper mines of the Great Orme local to Llandudno. This use of traditional materials in a modern form creates a landmark building which respects the heritage of the area and the high quality design required by the Welsh Assembly Government.
The building is the most sustainable within the Governments estate winning the Breeam Bespoke Category award in 2010.