A state-of-the-art office in Brentwood, Essex

A new building for British Telecommunications (BT) at Brentwood was designed to reflect and adapt to organisational change. Concern for the environment was a major part of the building services brief. Consideration for the user was expressed as a requirement to reduce the level of occupant complaint below the norm in BT buildings. The length of the air conditioning season has been greatly reduced by maximising the openable window season. The mixed mode concept influenced the planning and structure of the building in many ways, notably the ceiling height, helping daylight to penetrate, and the double skin. Confirmation that the building has satisfied the brief is contained in the views of the occupants. After two years of occupation BT was happy to allow Arup to undertake a post-occupancy survey under licence to Building Use Studies (BUS). The building is in the top 98% of comfort performance and shows an increase in productivity of 7%.