The Future Works Slough, UK
Sheppard Robson’s new designs of the major new commercial quarter, The Future Works, is a key part of the wider £450m Heart of Slough regeneration project.
The detailed designs for the first phase of the project, 2 The Future Works, which is the central building of three Sheppard Robson-designed structures that are part of the original masterplan for the development. These three buildings are linked through a series of corresponding angular forms and a new sequence of public spaces that encourage pedestrian flow through the site.
The Future Works transforms a key site adjacent to Slough train and bus stations, accommodating over 30,000m² of office and retail units arranged around new public realm spaces, linking the north side of Bath Road to the town centre on the south side. The massing and composition of the three buildings are a direct response to the opening up of distant views towards the listed St Ethelbert’s church.
With around 9,300m² of office space, 2 The Future Works will kick-start the vision for the project, setting the architectural language for the development. The building will be characterised by solid aluminium paneled' facades to the east and west that respond to the specific environmental conditions, with these materials also featuring on the north façade between two glazed bays.
The main façade along the Bath Road is predominantly glazed, opening up views towards Windsor Great Park. This façade incorporates aluminium powder-coated brise-soleils, which are carefully positioned to control solar gain whilst optimising views out over the local area and beyond. All elevations have a consistent two-storey bay rhythm, which – with the distinctive angularity of the structures – creates a cohesive family of buildings.
As with all three elements of the development, the street presence of 2 The Future Works is defined by double-height reception and a retail unit that follows the form of the building. The bases of the central and east buildings rise towards each other, framing the ‘gateway’ pedestrian space between the two structures.
All office floors have been designed around single cores to provide efficient, highly flexible spaces benefiting from high levels of natural daylight. The roof of 2 The Future Works will feature a series of roof gardens which will provide amenity space for occupiers.
2 The Future Works received full planning permission in 2008 and has since been amended by Sheppard Robson. 1 The Future Works received outline consent in 2008, with detailed designs still to be progressed for the third element of the development.
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