hawkins\brown: corby cube

‘corby cube’ by hawkins\brown in northants, united kingdom all images courtesy hawkins\brown photo by tim crocker

british architectural firm hawkins\brown has sent us images of ‘corby cube’, a new five-storey town hall in northants, united kingdom. situated in the centre of the former steel-making town of corby,the project is a part of a major regeneration initiate and includes a diverse program of civic and arts-uses.

street view photo by hufton+crow

true to its name, the overall form of the building is a cube composed of four ‘live’ elevations that clearly communicate the uses contained within. this design choice was made in order to take full advantage of the center’s central location by arranging its uses and functions around an internal ‘promenade architecturale’. an external envelope of black and reflective glass provides an aesthetic coherence and identity that lends a vibrant identity to the civic center.

elevation photo by hufton+crow

the 7,700 m2 building includes a 450-seat theatre, multifunctional studio space, cafe, library, civic ofices, council cahmber as well as a terraced roof garden with an adjacent exhibition space and restaurant. the design is highly sustainable in terms of its long-term viability as well as its environmental performance. the facade modulates between transparent and opaque glass, responding to the orientation of the sun to limit and control solar heat gain. an exposed concrete structure provides thermal mass, resulting in a passive regulation of the internal environment.

(left) facade detail (right) interior view photos by hufton+crow

library photo by tim crocker

theatre photo by tim crocker

view from stage photo by tim crocker

night view photo by tim crocker

exploded axo

floor plan / level +4 (1) reception (2) foyer (3) box office (4) library (5) bistro (6) kitchen (7) theatre (8) WCs (9) council chamber (10) meeting room (11) staff lounge (12) office (13) roof terrace (14) store (15) circulation (16) studio (17) dressing rooms (18) undercroft (19) restaurant (20) plant (21) bar (22) security room (23) theatre get-in (24) wardrobe (25) control room (26) green room (27) one step stop (28) interview room (29) technical gallery (30) public gallery (31) members’ lounge

east elevation

west elevation

south elevation

project info:

structural engineer: adams kara taylor services engineer: max fordham cost consultant: gardner & theobald theatre consultant: charcoablue landscape architects: grant associates acoustics engineer: RBA acoustics project manager: mouchel CDM coordinator: PFB construction management services sustainability cordinator: PFB construction management services graphics & signange: SEA contractor: galford try construction (central)