Unity Square, Nottingham

Unity Square, Nottingham will house HMRC’s 13th regional centre and is located in a key position at the Northern end of Sheriff’s Way with the junction of Queens Road and Carrington Street. The first phase of the Southside regeneration project will comprise circa 276,000 sq ft of grade A offices.

Developers Sladen Estates and Peveril Securities have described the development as ‘the most transformational office scheme to happen in the East Midlands in more than a decade’ and a cornerstone of Nottingham City Council’s vision for future businesses opening in the area. The building provides a new civic gateway to the Southside, with a new plaza to its entrance allowing a high-quality public realm connection to Nottingham Station.

Designed by 5Plus Architects and constructed by Bowmer + Kirkland, the state-of-the-art office building will be 10 storeys high, offering large flexible deep plan floor plates. The ground floor façade will comprise of precast columns and beams with inset curtain wall glazing system which achieves compliance with requirements for blast loading.

From the second to the eighth floor, the façades feature a thermally broken unitised façade system with structurally glazed opaque spandrels and faceted anodised aluminium panels. This design feature encapsulates the Victorian décor of the surrounding heritage buildings while maintaining a contemporary aspect. The aluminium cladding panels will create a dynamic effect of the façade, which will coincide with the solar pattern around the building.

The crown of the building is formed of unitised construction and will feature tapering panels with green accents. A terrace will add depth and dimension along the north elevation while displaying excellent views across the city.

Wintech have been appointed to deliver assistance on all aspects of the façade development. Façade specification, design audit of detailed drawings, thermal and structural calculation checks as well as witness offsite prototype testing and regular site visitation of the façade construction were part of the extended façade consultancy scope.

Images courtesy of Cartwright on behalf of Sladen Estates and HMRC