Wiltshire County Hall | Stride Treglown

County Hall, Trowbridge consisted of a 1930s civic building with a tired 1970s office extension. This refurbishment and part new-build scheme transformed it into a substantial public services hub. It also provides 18,600sqm of modern open plan working environment for 1,500 Wiltshire Council employees. The introduction of a new ETFE inflated roof to an existing underutilised external courtyard creates a vibrant new internal public space overlooked by the open plan office above. The new courtyard houses a coffee bar, main reception, information points, exhibition area and seating. The remaining sides of the courtyard are opened up to a new public library, dining area, registry services and meeting rooms. An underfloor plenum provides displacement ventilation to the atrium via floor grilles and vents in fixed furniture. A new three-storey link between the existing County Hall and 1970s extension forms one side of the courtyard and accommodates a new main public entrance, lifts and stairs, cantilevered meeting rooms to upper floors. We have used copper mesh and dichroic colour-changing glass for added effect. We achieved a 40% reduction in carbon emissions by thermal upgrades to the walls and roof, replacement glazing and a comprehensive services overhaul. BREEAM ‘Excellent’ is also anticipated, which would be a significant achievement for a refurbishment scheme.