Clydebank Queens Quay Enterprise pavilion

Titan Enterprise Centre 2008 Architects: Page \ Park Photos: Keith Hunter 28 Mar 2008 The Titan Enterprise Centre in Clydebank has recently been completed by Page \ Park. The 2,250 sq m project sits on the site of the former John Brown Shipyard at Queens Quays in Clydebank. The urban regeneration company Clydebank Rebuilt Ltd appointed Page \ Park to design a three and a half storey building that would provide 31 individual turnkey office suites to let as business start-up units together with a reception space, lounge areas, service and meeting rooms. Page \ Park was commissioned by Clydebank Rebuilt Ltd in 2003 to develop a masterplan for the regeneration of the 80 acre brownfield development site adjacent the river Clyde, and the Titan Enterprise Centre is the second project to be completed in accordance with this masterplan. The remaining site area will be developed in phases by both public and private development bodies. Eleanor McAllister, Managing Director for Clydebank Re-built said: “The completion of the Titan Enterprise Centre marks the start of the real regeneration of Queens Quays and highlights the quality of the design we now expect on this important site on the Clyde. Thanks to the masterplan we are opening up the riverside to the people of Clydebank, businesses, students and visitors and we are looking forward to more developments in 2008” picture © webbaviation Page \ Park designed the building to reflect the ship building legacy of the site in both form and materials. The northern section of the building is clad in copper; flaring cantilevered steps in the slabs at each level evoke a form reminiscent of a ships hull. This is reinforced by the roofline which rises above along the length of the elevation into a prow at the eastern end of the building. The copper hull is seemingly supported on timber columns, as ships in construction would have been supported prior to their launch. The reference to ship building is continued in the interior of the building. The design of the stair cores, utilising industrial chequer plate and exposed steel members, reflects the aesthetic of a ships engine room. This theme is followed through to the southern part of the building where timber cladding expresses the materials used in a ships fit-out. An environmental engineering strategy for the project has ensured that the building is “low tech”. Air conditioning is only applied to two ground floor meeting rooms. Mechanical extract is provided to the office suites (as proximity to Glasgow airport limits the use of open windows for natural ventilation) and wet system heating (trench & low level radiators) have been installed. The office suites have exposed concrete soffits providing thermal mass for the building and highly insulated timber frame infill panels completed the building envelope. The project started on site in June 2006 and was recently completed within budget. Titan Enterprise Centre Clydebank - info from Page\Park Architects 270308 Latest images as Clydebank Queens Quay Enterprise pavilion nears completion Photographer Andy Bateman Clydebank Queens Quay Enterprise pavilion - text from Page\Park Architects 190707 Page \ Park: Page \ Park is a thriving Glasgow based practice of 35 staff working across a number of sectors including public building, conservation, education, housing and commercial projects. The practice has a reputation for thoughtful and dynamic design responding to what are often challenging and sensitive contexts. A concern for the future of the environment is refl ected in a thorough understanding of human relationships and aspirations in building design through to appropriate models for the shaping and development of the urban landscape. Clydebank Rebuilt: Clydebank Rebuilt is an organisation dedicated to developing the area - its economy, environment, buildings and society. Clydebank Re-built is itself a partnership - formed by West Dunbartonshire Council and Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire. It has been designated a pathfi nder regeneration company by the Scottish Government, one of only five in Scotland. Together with European funding, all these agencies are making a financial contribution to the regeneration of Clydebank.