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Architects: AHR Architects
- Area: 12002 m²
- Year: 2014
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Photographs: Daniel Hopkinson
Text description provided by the architects. A number of external architectural features characterise the building form from a visual point of view:
Blackpool has a history and tradition with massive structures (the tower, piers, fun park structures, etc.). These iconic structures have become part of Blackpool and a representative image of the town. The external Y shaped columns run along the two primary facades: the northern and western edges of the building, connecting the two entrances and highlighting the retail frontages along the primary public routes into the town centre.
The fritted vertical glass “hit and miss” panels provide additional interest to the largely glazed elevations and assist in meeting solar overheating targets.
Vertical fins span the building elevations forming a wave like appearance which also echo the wave shapes formed in the sandy beach when the tide is out. Options were explored through testing various designs against the reduction in solar glare with the combined visual and shading effect of this design.
A double skin facade is located at the ‘end’ of the block along the south-western edge of the building. The transparency of the double skin provides a change in aesthetic and helps identify the entrance to the building from Deansgate Plaza. The feature also reduces solar gain to the office floor plate.
