LANDMARK VODAFONE BUILDING èÏHIGHLY COMMENDED’ AT PRESTIGIOUS CONSTRUCTION AWARD

The Vodafone Contact Centre, developed by St Modwen subsidiary, Stoke on Trent Regeneration Ltd at Etruria Valley Business Park in Stoke on Trent has been Highly Commended at the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists’ (CIAT) national awards ceremony, recognising technical excellence in construction.

The CIAT is internationally recognised as the qualifying body for qualified built environment professionals who have demonstrated competence as specialists in building design and construction. Recognising achievement in the field, the Open Award for Technical Excellence in Architectural Technology is presented to entrants able to demonstrate achievement of technical excellence in construction. It is a prestigious award that has been running since 1995 with previous winners including buildings by renowned architects such as Grimshaws, Foster and Partners etc. The Vodafone building was Highly Commended, second only to the Manchester Central Convention Complex, demonstrating the level of design and technical expertise committed to the building.

Stoke on Trent Regeneration Ltd, the joint venture between St. Modwen, the UK’s leading regeneration specialist and Stoke on Trent City Council, built the 90,000 sq ft landmark building bespoke to Vodafone’s requirements in 2009 and it is the largest purpose built office building completed by the company in North Staffordshire. With architecturally striking bold shapes and colours highlighting Vodafone’s vibrant branding, the light and airy modern building features roof lit hall spaces and includes some 450 tonnes of structural steel.

Mike Herbert, St. Modwen’s North Staffordshire regional director commented: “To be recognised on a national level for our work on the Vodafone Contact Centre is a real achievement, especially with an accolade as prestigious as the CIAT Award. Working alongside RPS Planning and Development demonstrates how the combination of bold architecture and sustainable design can create landmark office environments here at the Business Park.

“We are committed to the development of high quality and technically innovative buildings that raise the profile of Stoke-on-Trent as a quality location for businesses. The decision by an internationally renowned company like Vodafone to commit to the new building is recognition of what St Modwen and the area can deliver. A key element of this scheme was the ability of St Modwen to work closely and understand Vodafone’s business need.”

Virtually the length of two jumbo jets from nose to tail, the landmark Vodafone building sets a new standard for call centres in the UK through its creation of a light, bright working environment. It is divided into south and north wings, collectively offering 850 workstations, alongside a 300 seat café and restaurant, plus meeting and training rooms.

Sustainability was a key consideration within St. Modwen’s design brief, resulting in a BREEAM ‘very good’ rating. 100 per cent recyclable metal cladding, automatic taps, automatic lighting complemented by high natural day lighting levels, solar shading and a cantilevered winged shaped roof form that reduces solar gain and cooling loads as well as allowing rainwater to be collected to operate the toilets, all contribute to the buildings’ green credentials. The exterior of the building features abundant glazing and structural detailing in Vodafone’s distinctive red corporate colour.

Spanning 125 acres, Etruria Valley Business Park is the site of the former Shelton Steel Works which has been extensively reclaimed by St. Modwen and is an expansion of St. Modwen’s highly successful Festival Park scheme. Phase One, a 35 acre site has already been completed with a total of 167,000 sq ft of office space, alongside a further 148,000 sq ft of industrial / trade park space. The latest developments at, Etruria Valley Business Park include the Head Office for the Hanley Economic Building Society and a high tech manufacturing facility for Wade Ceramics. Further development opportunities are available at the Business Park