Capita unveils new offices for BAE Samlesbury

The design division of Capita Symonds has completed two office buildings and a reception suite inspired by the form of a fighter jet at BAE Systems' manufacturing and aerospace facility at Samlesbury in Lancashire.

The site employs 4,000 people building parts of the Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockhead Martin F-35 Lightning II among other planes.

Capita Symonds designed four inter-linked 38,000 sq ft office buildings, the first two of which have been completed and achieved a minimum BREEAM rating of 'very good'. The remaining two will open in a later phase.

The offices feature low energy consumption, biomass boilers, rainwater harvesting and a central atrium providing daylight and air circulation.

BAE Samlesbury receptionThe new reception building and offices are milestones in the wider redevelopment of the Samlesbury site which also comprises sitewide infrastructure including a new site entrance, on site roads and landscaping, as well as a new F35 machining facility.

Capita Symonds has been providing architectural, masterplanning, design, structural engineering and M&E services on the Samlesbury projects since 2004.

Altaf Master, lead designer at Capita Symonds, said: "The original concept was for a traditional brick building and site feature entrance. However, we pitched a striking idea which alludes to the dynamic form of a fighter jet – reflecting the site's role as the home of advanced aerospace manufacturing while doubling both as a functional facility and a striking site feature.

"We also received invaluable support from the structural engineering team in overcoming huge technical issues to produce an innovative design that features a dramatic structure with rainscreen cladding on external walls and roof to give it a seamless skin."

BAM Construction is the contractor on the projects and is also delivering office and machining facilities at the Samlesbury site.

Dave Holmes, director of investment and infrastructure services, BAE Systems, said, "This marks another significant milestone in the transformation project. The new reception facility and improved entrance are designed to create the right image for Samlesbury site and the business, whilst at the same time being highly functional."

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