Building
The arc building
Address
1 Blanket Row, Hull, HU1 1UG.
What it is
Five 'caravans' consisting of two offices, two toilets and an office and boiler
supporting a large space suitable for conferences, exhibitions, workshops,
lectures and meetings
Opening date
June 2006
Architect or designer
Niall McLaughlin Architects
Building contractor or engineer
Wright Construction
Occupants or owners
arc, the architecture centre for Hull and the Humber Sub-region. The building is
designed for a team of about six workers, but to be big enough to house a group
as large as 70 people.
Who paid for the building
Yorkshire Forward – regional development agency, Single Regeneration Budget
through Hull Cityventure, ERDF, Big Lottery and the Energy Savings Trust.
How much did it cost
£750,000
Energy fact
A proportion of arc's electrical energy is supplied by the wind turbines and
photovoltaic panels which can be seen on poles outside the building. The remainder
of arc's energy requirements are supplied through a green energy provider. The
mechanical garden comprises 16 wind turbines and 24 photovoltaic panels and was
designed to reflect the reed beds on the bank of the Humber.
Sustainability fact
As well as the turbines, arc also has a couple of other hidden eco-gems.
Ventilation - the building utilises a cooling system which has been in use for centuries. Low-level vents above the trough of water can be opened or closed to allow cooled air to enter the building and rise, leaving the building from vents at the apex of the roof. This effect is the same as that achieved by Victorian sash windows.
Heating - the building is heated by an underfloor wet heating system that is powered by a wood pellet burning boiler – a carbon neutral process.
Materials fact
The arc building is made from steel and timber, with glass, Aluminium, and concrete.
Design fact
The building is designed as a kit of parts, similar to Meccano and The Pompidou
Centre in Paris and can be disassembled and rebuilt on a different site in the
future, possibly in a different configuration. It was constructed off site and
brought to site in sections on the back of a lorry.
The building sits on a series of concrete pads that form a raft beneath the building. This minimises the buildings footprint on site and also reflects a regional building tradition.
Function fact
The building is a venue for different learning and public activities. School
and community groups can take part in workshops, or you might visit an exhibition
or attend a talk there.
Location fact
The building is located on a 'brown field' site, on the edge of the Castle
Street & Fruit Market regeneration district of Hull. It is rough car park with
rubble of broken brick and stone. The aim is to move the building to various
locations across the city in need of regeneration in order to promote change
and improvement in these areas too.
Quotes
"The building is really more a product than a piece of architecture. Nevertheless
it is witty and memorable and the internal space is dramatic and uplifting." (RIBA)
The best thing about this building
It inspires people to think and talk about design.
It's location means a lot of people see it, comment on it, and very often call-in
to find out about it!
The worst thing about this building
If the project had had more money some interesting features could have been added
such as a live projection of the sea on the building roof.
Awards
RIBA Award 2006
RIBA White Rose Award 2006
RIBA Client of the Year Award 2006, Yorkshire and Humber Region
RIBA Sustainability Award 2006 Shortlisted
American Institute of Architects International Chapter Commendation
Did you know?
The blue of the caravans is Reckitts blue – a pigment manufactured in Hull.
The offices echo Hull's caravan manufacturing tradition and even have caravan wheels and fittings. Their size was determined by the maximum width possible for road transportation without police escort.
The 'go faster' stripes are made from the same material as used on police cars and ambulances.
What else to see
Close to the arc building is the old town of Hull, with the prominent Holy Trinity
Church. The Deep is five minutes away. Along with the tidal barrier and bridge over
the river Hull, the arc is one of a collection of recent and striking engineering
and building designs.
Grid Reference
TA099283
