Enviro Agency Center Auditorium (Project Consultancy)

The site is within a flood zone, which required the design to follow strict guidance from the Environment Agency. As a result the building has been lifted above the ground to allow water to pass beneath through perforations within the façade in the event of a flood. Whilst hollow beneath, the building is intended to be read as a solid construction of stonework. This was achieved through ground beams supporting a network of dwarf walls beneath the ground floor, on which the precast floor planks are supported. The blockwork and steelwork structure rises from this deck. This raising of the structure facilitated an innovative M&E servicing strategy, with the ventilation ductwork for the auditorium located within the floor void and supplying the plenum beneath the amphitheatre style seating of the Auditorium.