Image Graphic Design

Building Design of DSS Offices, Newcastle by Hopkins Architects. New buildings bring greater efficiency. The vast government agency needed to regroup its staff on a single site.

DSS Offices, Newcastle - Hopkins Architects

The original masterplan was designed to ensure that the site could remain operational during the development programme. It separated parking and service areas from the landscaped pedestrian areas at the heart of the campus. In the first phase, 5500 staff were accommodated in six buildings, arranged in an ellipse along a central avenue, with a social building at one end.

DSS Offices, Newcastle - Hopkins Architects

The efficiency of the scheme was due to giant floor plates, 64 m long and 14.4 m wide, on either side of an atrium.  They allow easy subdivision for whatever operational structures are required. The four storey office buildings have expressed steel frames supporting glazed and panelled walls, with solar shades to prevent overheating. Between them are the more transparent link buildings, which clearly divide the office wings.

DSS Offices, Newcastle - Hopkins Architects

The Social Building is part of the campus community housing a crêche, restaurant and sports hall and exhibition areas. In a second phase, a further four office buildings and a restaurant were built, as more departments were re-located to the new campus.

DSS Offices, Newcastle - Hopkins Architects

The development reflects ‘Going for Green’ government initiatives, adopting a low energy consumption strategy, using natural ventilation and maximising natural daylight.

For more information, please visit Hopkins Architects website.

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