Renault Centre
| Renault Centre | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Former names | Renault Distribution Centre (until 2001) |
| Alternative names | The Spectrum Building (from 2001) |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Structural expressionism |
| Location | Rivermead Industrial Estate |
| Address | Westlea, West Swindon |
| Town or city | Swindon |
| Country | UK |
| Coordinates | 51°34′01″N 1°49′27″W / 51.5669°N 1.8243°W |
| Groundbreaking | 27 July 1981 |
| Completed | December 1982 |
| Cost | £8,266,400 (1983 price) |
| Client | Renault |
| Height | 10m |
| Technical details | |
| Size | 288m x 96m |
| Floor area | 58,500 m2 |
| Grounds | 16 acres |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | Foster Associates |
| Structural engineer | Ove Arup & Partners |
| Quantity surveyor | Davis Belfield Everest |
| Main contractor | Bovis Construction |
| Designations | Grade II* listed |
The Renault Centre (or the Renault Distribution Centre) is a high tech[1] building in Swindon commissioned by the French car company Renault for their UK operations. Designed by the British architect Norman Foster of Foster Associates, it opened in 1982 and Renault moved out in 2001.
Since 2001 the building has been known as The Spectrum Building.[2] It was listed Grade II* by English Heritage in 2013.[3][4]
Design[edit]
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The architecture expressed not only the corporate ownership, through the yellow of Renault used on all the structural elements, but also promoted a modern statement on industrial relations by using the same roof over the warehouse and offices, making no distinction between white- and blue-collar workers.[5]
The structural engineer was Ove Arup & Partners. The cable stayed steel structural system provides a 24m column clear zone, with the columns of only 450mm diameter.
Renault commissioned the building in 1980 after outgrowing their premises in Reading. Planning permission was granted in June 1981, construction commenced July 1981 and practical completion was achieved in December 1982.
The building won several awards in 1984 including the British Constructional Steelwork Association's Structural Steel Award,[6] Civic Trust Award and Financial Times 'Architecture at Work' Award.[7] It also won Private Eye's Sir Hugh Casson Award for the worst new building of the year.[8]
References[edit]
- ^ Buchanan, Peter (July 1983). "High-Tech". Architectural Review. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ "Spectrum building is awarded listed status". Swindon Advertiser. 21 September 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ "Swindon's 'View To A Kill' warehouse given listed status". BBC News. 10 September 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ Historic England. "The Spectrum Building, Swindon (1416061)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
- ^ Abel, Chris (1991). Renault Centre : Swindon, 1982 : Architect, Norman Foster (1. publ. ed.). London: Architecture Design and Technology Press. ISBN 1854547763.
- ^ "Structural Steel Design Awards 1969 - 2011". Steel Construction Info. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
- ^ Historic England. "The Spectrum Building (formerly the Renault Distribution Centre) (1416061)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Private Eye" (602). 11 January 1985: 9.
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External links[edit]
Media related to The Spectrum Building at Wikimedia Commons- "Projects - Renault Distribution Centre". Foster + Partners. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
- "Car seat supplier leases Spectrum". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
- "Tyre firm moves into Swindon's iconic former Renault warehouse". Swindon Business News. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
