FaulknerBrowns has slashed energy consumption in its refurbished Newcastle Civic Centre, which sensitively celebrates the existing building
Newcastle Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne
FaulknerBrowns Architects for Newcastle City Council
Contract value: £22m
GIA: 41,806 m²
Cost per m²: £526
George Kenyon’s grade II listed Newcastle Civic Centre is one of the 1960s’ finest examples of public architecture. The refurbishment brief was for a more prominent public entrance and to resolve circulation and security issues without undermining its architectural integrity of the original. Frameless glass encloses the stripped-back ground floor colonnade. Offices have been refurbished and reordered. The brick-faced entrance arches now provide a new reception area, public café, seating and meeting pods. They have been lit, with all services delivered from the floor to avoid any ceiling mountings, and there is careful detailing between old and new. A full building services overhaul has helped reduce energy consumption by 30% as the refurbishment sensitively celebrates the existing architecture and artworks.