Towcester Civic Centre: A Sustainable Community Hub
As one of the largest buildings in the project, the new Towcester Civic Centre was designed to serve as a central hub for the community. The building was arranged as two blocks around a central atrium, strategically positioned to maximise natural daylight and minimise reliance on artificial lighting. The new council chamber was created as a versatile space, accommodating council meetings, public lectures, cultural performances, and weddings.
Innovative Low-Carbon Design Solutions
From the feasibility and concept phase, sustainability was a key focus of the design. Our team incorporated mixed-mode ventilation with overnight pre-cooling solutions, variable ventilation volumes controlled by CO2 levels, solar thermal hot water, air source heat pumps, rainwater harvesting, and underfloor heating in the triple-height atrium space. These innovations contributed to a low-carbon, energy-efficient civic centre that supports the community while minimising environmental impact.
