Industrial, Astron Business Park, Swadlincote

This 17,000 sq ft industrial unit forms part of the Astron Business Park in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, and was designed as the warehouse and offices for the development arm of the air conditioning company, Skyline Group.

Randle White was involved from the conceptual design stage and created plans to overcome the awkwardly shaped one-acre site and public sewer pipework that runs along one side.

Working closely with the Services Design Partnership, we ensured the building conformed to latest energy performance standards, including changes to Part L Building Regulations and Planning Policy Statement 22 (PPS22). This meant using energy efficient materials and techniques to minimise CO2 emissions and incorporating renewable energy sources into the building design.

Once planning permission was secured, Randle White remained involved with the project through to completion after it was novated to design and build contractor, Derwent Valley Construction Ltd.

Construction began in November 2006 and was completed on time and in budget in June 2007. The building is of steel portal frame construction, clad in facing brickwork to a height of 2.1m with profiled steel twin skin Eurocladding to the roof and vertical areas. To the rear of the building, two large sectional overhead doors allow heavy industrial access, and, to the front, commercial office space of 300 sqm is provided over two floors.