GLOUCESTER RENAISSANCE
“We’ve almost achieved complete success in deterring the gulls, however you will see there are a few locations where they have outsmarted us!” So next time you are walking past or see the building glinting in the sun from your daily commute, you can rest assured that it’s generating electricity, as well as generating annoyance for those pesky gulls. It was delivered with the minimum of fuss by Quattro and Kier and now sits at the centre of a city that is fast being transformed. Mr Court added: “The council wanted to have a building that was worthy of the city, but that was also cost effective to build and operate over generations to come. “We’ve certainly achieved that and look back with great pride as it’s our bit for the regeneration of the city we are based in” l For more information on Quattro Design Architects visit www.quattrodesign.co.uk or call 01452 424 234
called Building Integrated Photovoltaic Cells,” Mr Court said. “There are also a lot of solar panels on the roof. However the dark brown panels on the curtain walling are all generating electricity as well. “That was certainly one of the earlier applications of those cells in the UK. It’s something that’s been developed in Scandinavia. It’s a very clever system that generates electricity for the council. “Quattro’s ethos has a long standing in sustainability and low carbon design. The Shire Hall project is no exception. “The whole building was previously only single-glazed and overheated a lot in summer. The new fabric of the building is thermally efficient,alongside the newwindows, ensuring heat is retained during the winter months. “We have also looked to maximise natural ventilation as well. We have louvered vents all over the building, with inward opening windows behind them. “They allow much more ventilation than standard openable windows, and they can be opened to what we call ‘purge vent’ the offices, allowing fresh air in to cool the building fabric overnight. “A big part of our brief was to look at seagull design as well! “We were set a challenge of deterring seagulls from perching on the building, without the need for nets or the usual wire and spike deterrents you see on most buildings. “Lots of investigation led to the creation of particular angles, slopes and minimal ledges, so they can’t perch on them. It’s something that fed into the design and added another level of complexity to the project. “By preventing this, it means that the maintenance and cleaning costs are reduced, all that makes a difference.
86 | July 2019 | www. punchline-gloucester .com
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