The Home Office project, London SW1
About the Project
- Principal designer: Terry Farrell and Partners
- Client: Annes Gate Property
- Principal contractor: Bouygoes UK
- Principal engineer: Pell Frischmann
- Contract value: £182 million
The project for the new Home Office HQ includes residential blocks housing over 140 apartments, retail and public art, heralding an exemplary new addition to government architecture.
The 72,000m² of office space is arranged over three interconnected, low-rise buildings and consolidates central London Home Office staff from six buildings onto one site. As with all PFI projects, long-term value for money was important, but so too was the need for the design to be harmonious and effective.
Entrance foyers and a naturally lit internal 'street' connect the three office buildings and the open-plan office space within them. This street forms the backbone of the working environment, answering the client's desire to enhance communication and promote integration.
Each building is organised around a central atrium, with 95 per cent of the occupiers seated within 6.5m of an external window or naturally-lit atrium. Energy consumption will be 10 per cent below government targets and the building, completed on time and on budget, also featured an impressive use of public art.
The Judges said:
"This is the first new government department headquarters building completed in recent years. It replaced the little-loved three towers previously on the site and has combined artwork, architecture and landscaping to good effect."