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London 2009-13 Hopkins Architects The Brent Civic Centre has unified the council service provisions which were previously housed in locations scattered throughout the Borough. Providing office space for some 2000 staff, where departmental and professional boundaries are diminished and where internal and external partnership-working is seen as the natural and expected way of doing business. The scheme provides an opportunity for residents to engage more easily and effectively with public services operating in Brent and improves productivity by creating efficient service environments. Brent is the most densely populated of all Outer London boroughs and also one of the most culturally diverse boroughs in the UK. It gives those living in Brent a stake in the exciting Wembley Regeneration Area that reflects and celebrates the multi-cultural and diverse nature of the Borough and its residents. The site is right in the heart of the Wembley Regeneration Area, located next to Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena. The Civic Centre has been designed to become the new hub and heat for the community where residents can meet, learn, eat and shop. The heart of the Centre is the Atrium, a large, open and transparent space that presents a welcoming face to the community of Brent. It joins together the Civic Drum and the Administrative L blocks to the west and north and is accessed via a clear route between Arena Square to the south and potential future square to the north. From the Atrium, all parts of the Civic Centre can be seen, including the public, civic and administrative elements, enabling visitors to instantly understand and comprehend the layout of the building.The naturally-lit reception foyer and atrium has been designed as a flexible space within which a large public staircase will become seating for performance events as an amphitheater. Photographed by Yoko Nagumo |