Hounslow House, Hounslow

Sheppard Robson for Linkcity
Contract value: £59.4m 
GIA: 16,023m² 
Cost per m²: £3,707

Hounslow’s striking new civic centre has a strong presence in the community and demonstrates the council’s commitment to sustainability. The distinctive faceting and geometry on its facade defines its identity and is critical to the environmental strategy, being carefully tuned to respond to orientation, minimising solar gain and maximising daylight. Relocating the civic centre allowed the original site to be redeveloped for housing, helping to fund it while keeping 40% of the 900-plus new homes affordable. Shaped around principles of transparency and integration, the building holds desirable workplaces for council staff, a public library and community facilities and civic chamber.

See the rest of the London shortlists here. And all the RIBA Regional Awards shortlists here.