The ground breaking transformation of a dilapidated and inefficient 1960s building provides a facility for Hampshire County Council’s continued occupation. The existing buildings accounted for 20% of the Council’s office portfolio, but suffered from a poor internal environment and an aggressive external presence which jarred with the sensitive historic context.

The new Elizabeth II Court offices articulate the building in a more contextual manner through reduced massing, extended floor plates and new elevations. These high performance facades are combined with exposure of the coffered concrete slabs, engineered natural ventilation and othertechnologies to create an innovative low energy strategy that will deliver a 50% reduction in energy use compared to the existing. The operational emission target of 35 kg CO2/m2/annum for the completed building is comparable to many other new-build HQs in the country.

A welcoming new entrance, 200-seat auditorium, meeting rooms, café, restaurant and reception are laid out along a new internal street and relate to two new landscaped courtyards.