The Aspire Centre

Completed: 1999
Client: South Shropshire District Council

The practice was appointed for this project following a limited design led competition. South Shropshire District Council required a flagship building which would be the focus for training and starter businesses in South Shropshire.

The brief required a large engineering training area and ancillary support accommodation together with eight industrial starter units. To provide future flexibility the building has been designed as a fully framed structure to allow division walls to be moved or relocated.

The asymmetrical curved roof form, which sweeps down to supporting roof spars, reflects internal height requirements and provides a clear definition for the individual starter units.

The design uses low maintenance materials, principally brick and aluminium, in order to keep life cycle costs as low as possible. A tensile material is used for the ceiling to the office building instead of a conventional suspended ceiling.