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HQ’s new look
9:09am Saturday 10th May 2008
THEIR first attempt drew almost universal derision.
Now council chiefs are hoping it's second time lucky, as they try to come up with new headquarters fit for the future.
These new images show the revised designs for City of York Council's £40 million offices at Hungate, off The Stonebow.
A council spokeswoman said the new blueprint was "less boxy, softer and more in keeping with other buildings in the area."
The sharp, unbroken corners and roof-lines have been replaced by a staggered and fluctuating line, while some of the reconstituted stone has been replaced with more natural-looking brick.
The eco-tower has also been reduced in height, and the building's entrance made more prominent.
The building retains its "excellent" environmental rating, but as previously reported in The Press the cost is likely to rise, possibly by up to £3 million.
One local conservationist, Alison Sinclair, who chairs the York Conservation Areas Advisory Panel, today said she remained unconvinced.
She said new buildings in York were not receiving the conservation input they merited, due to council posts being unfilled, and she said her view had not changed despite the new designs.
Coun Ceredig Jamieson-Ball, the council's executive member for corporate services, said the changes were in response to the comments received on the original designs, and said it remained affordable, according to the council model.
He said: "We have managed to take on board a lot of comments that have been made publicly and in response to the original plans. These are obviously modified to include the stonework on the front and more glass, and it has a more open look and less like a concrete box, which is what some people described the old design as.
"But it keeps some of the core aspects of the building, such as the customer centre and one-stop-shop."
In an internal email to staff, the council said: "The design has been modified, with the building set slightly further back from the road. The scale has also been altered by setting back the fourth floor adjacent to the Black Swan Pub, thereby reducing the apparent height of the building."
Labour councillor Paul Blanchard, whose ward neighbours the Hungate site, said: This is a vast improvement on the previous design and it certainly looks like the council has been listening to feedback."
The council is set to submit a planning application later this month, and hopes to move into the new building by 2010.
Have your say
What do you think about the revamped design?
Your Say YourPress
Rob Marley, Haxby says...
9:28am Sat 10 May 08
Spending an horrendous amount of money on a building that isn't necessary. There are numerous empty sites around York with better access and parking that the council could move into with a fraction of the cost.
The council are so very out of touch. The 11% pay rise and backslapping eulogies for Galloway that were mentioned the other day take the biscuit. 'Up' themselves. Many of the real issues that affect York such as rocketing council tax bills, congestion, youth crime problems, poor leisure facilities to name just a few still exist. When the council debates such topics as the selling of Foie Gras in the city, they just show themselves for the bunch of muppetts that they really are.
C H, york says...
9:39am Sat 10 May 08
Thisisme, my chair says...
9:41am Sat 10 May 08
A new building will not bring new moral!
Have you seen the strike in Leeds by the Council staff because of the pay cut.
The residents of York I apologise but it is inevitable.
Flash, York says...
9:50am Sat 10 May 08
BL, says...
10:01am Sat 10 May 08
ghost of oscar deutsch, says...
10:57am Sat 10 May 08
What!! Is the poor woman blind?
There are amazing examples of modern architecture in many cities, but obviously York fancies the urban 60's carbuncle route.
As for fitting in, with what exactly? The Foss Islands/Morrisons Supermarket.
Yeah, quality architecture there me thinks not.
Ditch the architects as they're obviously not up to the job..
As for the various Councillors opinions, the usual drivel. I mean they're not going to say its cr*p are they?
Not the only one, York says...
10:58am Sat 10 May 08
nasrudin, york says...
11:10am Sat 10 May 08
Rob Marley, Haxby says...
11:16am Sat 10 May 08
Labour councillor Paul Blanchard, whose ward neighbours the Hungate site, said: This is a vast improvement on the previous design and it certainly looks like the council has been listening to feedback."
What planet are you on Mr Blanchard? One full of 'armed geese' presumably?
ath, York says...
11:26am Sat 10 May 08
ath, York says...
11:31am Sat 10 May 08
Peter, york says...
11:49am Sat 10 May 08
and arrogant, inefficient Senior Management that would not be missed
You missed overpaid
Redr, york says...
12:24pm Sat 10 May 08
slornie, Birmingham/York says...
12:35pm Sat 10 May 08
Then they say this will make it more expensive!
Surely it would be better to go right back to the drawing board, instead of tampering with an obviously unsuitable design.
larkin, leeds says...
1:54pm Sat 10 May 08
slornie wrote:If I had wanted to build a property like this isore it would be refused planning.
So theyve moved it a little, made the top floor smaller (less space for employees), and changed some of the fascia. Then they say this will make it more expensive! Surely it would be better to go right back to the drawing board, instead of tampering with an obviously unsuitable design.
York councils lanning policy was ? a building must be built to fall in with whats around it the same roof coverings simular building materials this is buiolding is not in keeping with historic York!!
Its another STONEBOW WHITE ELEPHANT
unhappy of york, York says...
2:05pm Sat 10 May 08
One other point re Cllr Galloway's departure last week. I was gobsmacked to find out the Press on their website took the decision not to allow comments re the article on Galloway's departure in case they were offensive. Why can't the Press allow free speech for those wishing to criticise without swearing whilst moderating only those who go over the edge. Yet another instance where the gap between the media/politicians and the public is forced frustrating ordinary voters because they can't state their case. A disgraceful piece of censorship by the Press's website editor.
Dave McBridge, York says...
3:55pm Sat 10 May 08
3rd time lucky?
newsboy, York says...
5:04pm Sat 10 May 08
Silver, York says...
5:10pm Sat 10 May 08
newsboy wrote:How about a massive pyramid, the higher you go the more you get paid, the less you do?
As of 5pm Saturday 18 whinging comments but not a single suggestion as to an alternative.Well what do you want the building to look like.
ennoch, York says...
5:45pm Sat 10 May 08
newsboy wrote:How about a radical, cheaper eco option? Use the empty office spaces that are already available! The vast amount of money saved could then be invested into something for the local council tax payers that may also attract the odd tourist. An indoor market perhaps?
As of 5pm Saturday 18 whinging comments but not a single suggestion as to an alternative.Well what do you want the building to look like.
Silver, York says...
6:07pm Sat 10 May 08
ennoch wrote:Or just reduce the council tax by making that saving as you've not had to invest it into a building, bringing back some relief to all of us being over taxed...
newsboy wrote: As of 5pm Saturday 18 whinging comments but not a single suggestion as to an alternative.Well what do you want the building to look like.How about a radical, cheaper eco option? Use the empty office spaces that are already available! The vast amount of money saved could then be invested into something for the local council tax payers that may also attract the odd tourist. An indoor market perhaps?
the Butler, Cowichan Bay B.C Canada says...
6:38pm Sat 10 May 08
Cruddass is a muppett, says...
6:46pm Sat 10 May 08
Cynic, York says...
9:08pm Sat 10 May 08
newsboy wrote:Yes, how about build it on a business park somewhere around York - plenty of possible locations including Monks Cross, James Street, Clifton Moor. Then it could actually be big enough and it wouldn't matter if it was an ugly box.
As of 5pm Saturday 18 whinging comments but not a single suggestion as to an alternative.Well what do you want the building to look like.
The only bit which does need to be central is the public-facing bit currently next to the library, which could either stay where it is (have they sold it?) or go somewhere else in the city centre.
ouserower, york says...
9:51pm Sat 10 May 08
Where is the timber?? Total rubbish! Whoever is trying to get this passed needs to be sacked immediately! It amazes me! Rubbish!
Where's Frank Lloyd Wright when you need him? Turning in his grave no doubt!
hustler, York says...
1:23am Sun 11 May 08
Cynic wrote:Absolutely agree with everything said here. Why do they need to base all the office staff in the city centre anyway ?
newsboy wrote: As of 5pm Saturday 18 whinging comments but not a single suggestion as to an alternative.Well what do you want the building to look like.Yes, how about build it on a business park somewhere around York - plenty of possible locations including Monks Cross, James Street, Clifton Moor. Then it could actually be big enough and it wouldn't matter if it was an ugly box. The only bit which does need to be central is the public-facing bit currently next to the library, which could either stay where it is (have they sold it?) or go somewhere else in the city centre.
The only change I can see from the artists impression is a greater use of glass, hardly a massive difference to the original plan..
voiceoreason, york says...
3:01pm Sun 11 May 08
Silver wrote:hmm ... why dont we get rid of all council staff and pay no council tax ..... hmm that wouldnt work would it, engage brain before typing
ennoch wrote:Or just reduce the council tax by making that saving as you've not had to invest it into a building, bringing back some relief to all of us being over taxed...
newsboy wrote: As of 5pm Saturday 18 whinging comments but not a single suggestion as to an alternative.Well what do you want the building to look like.How about a radical, cheaper eco option? Use the empty office spaces that are already available! The vast amount of money saved could then be invested into something for the local council tax payers that may also attract the odd tourist. An indoor market perhaps?
The Underdog, In Transit says...
1:06am Mon 12 May 08
It is rather difficult to break down the walls of mediocrity with all the regulation the modern architect needs to deal with, however the abilities of modern engineering and materials can enable construction of almost any form imaginable so it is hard for most people to understand why the lack of style in a city like York with all its inspiration.
I personally would like to see the architects dig much deeper to find the solution, after all this is a very important construction for a city whose very existence is down to its architecture of yesteryear.
So please for the sake of York, have another go, only this time start again and come at it from a different angle this time.
oli4uk, York says...
9:45am Mon 12 May 08
hmm ... why dont we get rid of all council staff and pay no council tax ..... hmm that wouldnt work would it, engage brain before typing
How is locating staff in existing buildings interpreted as laying off all staff for council tax reductions?
Personally I am concerned as to how such a building is costing £43 million, the council is obviously being shafted on this one. The Eco-systems it will be using are worrying due to maintenance cost alone
Considering the council was asking us how we would save money recently and asking for things such as fornightly bin collections and so on I am shocked a tthis rather flagrant waste of tax money.
meme, york says...
1:03pm Mon 12 May 08
However the design is better than the last one but still is inappropriate for York.Do a radical building incorporating timber and glass with new building techniques. Just look at the graet design of the new house opposite. Someone spent ages getting those correct.. why cannot YCC do the same especially as this will be around for years to come
YCC be radical come up with a schems some love and some hate but at least is special. You will never please everyone but here you have a universally hated design...Please listen and sort it out
Brian, york says...
9:37pm Mon 12 May 08
OldFart, York says...
12:32am Wed 14 May 08
Laverack do draft a design? I'm sure he'd be happy to do so as he's always complaining about YCC plans.
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SOFTER?: The revamped design for the council HQ, seen from St Saviour's Place
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