Derby Council House

The redevelopment of Derby Council House transformed the traditional 1930s building into a modern, sustainable office environment. Derby City Council wanted to utilise the space’s historic features while turning it into a modern workplace fit for the future – all within a constrained budget. This presented a variety of challenges: from upgrading the building fabric to achieving a greatly enhanced internal space that was usable, comfortable, and energy efficient.

Inexpensive intelligence

The complete interior of the building was replaced, along with a new public-facing atrium that provides an appealing entrance. We designed services that were passive, good value, and occupied little space within the building. A mixed-mode ventilation system responds to occupancy and temperature levels, while exposed mass slabs provide free night cooling. Adiabatic cooling is used during peak summer conditions and uses water from the adjacent River Derwent. Other features include PV arrays, high-efficiency chillers and boilers, high-efficiency intelligently controlled lighting, and intelligent BMS. Together, these all provide low-cost in use from a fuel and a maintenance perspective. The building achieved an EPC A+ rating, which was one of the client’s requirements.

Future fit

We provided adaptable services solution to ensure the building is fully equipped to respond to both the council’s – and its end-users’ – future needs. With council chamber, accessible public gallery, one-stop-shop customer service facility, café, and office accommodation for up to 2,000 employees and members, the redevelopment has enabled the council to operate better through new, flexible ways of working.