The £400m Government Communications Headquarters in Cheltenham was completed ahead of schedule in 2003 and is the workplace of the majority of GCHQ's 5,500 employees. The ring-shaped building features state-of-the-art fire, security and communications systems as part of a sophisticated system of building services.
The building comprises three separate structures and the vast central courtyard is large enough to accommodate the Royal Albert Hall. An internal 'street' forms the primary navigation route through the building and offers access to a range of facilities for staff, including coffee shops, a restaurant and a gymnasium.
All office furniture is made from recycled materials – chairs are made from recycled plastic bottles and desks are 90% recycled wood. The aluminium roof on the building is designed so that it can be 'unzipped' and reused at a low cost.
DSSR was initially appointed to review the M&E outline design for PFI tenders, however after positive dialogue on the strategic design was subsequently commissioned to assist on the development of the technical brief and provide quality audit on the contractor's design development and installation work.
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Location
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Client
Campas Project Management
For GCHQ
Architect
Gensler
Contract Value
£400m
Completion
2003