Office Building in Solihull
In designing the Midlands office in Solihull for their parent company, Arup Associates have realized a building concept based on the optimization of daylighting and natural ventilation. The form, structure and internal environment were the outcome of a coordinated planning process. Divided into two pavilion-like tracts, the complex nestles into the gently sloping landscape. Internally, the deep, compact wings consist of single-volume spaces that accommodate open-plan offices on two floors. The open layout allows great spatial flexibility and serves the interests of interdisciplinary work within the planning teams. Along the central longitudinal axis, the two storeys are linked by openings in the floor slabs. The striking roof structure, distinguished by a series of pod-like elements that combine the functions of roof lights and ventilation openings, is supported by Y-frame steel columns. These “solar chimney stacks” serve to illuminate and ventilate the office spaces by natural means. Daylight is able to penetrate to the central areas of the building via the north-west-facing areas of sloping glazing in the elevated pod structures. Automatically controlled flaps on the opposite side facilitate a largely natural form of ventilation in the office spaces.
