Neha Patil (Editor)

Renault Centre

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Address
  
Westlea,

Groundbreaking
  
27 July 1981

Opened
  
December 1982

Town or city
  
Country
  
UK

Height
  
10 m

Architectural style
  
High-tech architecture

Architecture firm
  
Foster + Partners

Renault Centre Renault Distribution Centre Foster Partners

Former names
  
Renault Distribution Centre (until 2001)

Alternative names
  
The Spectrum Building (from 2001)

Location
  
Rivermead Industrial Estate

Cost
  
8.266 million GBP (1983 price)

Similar
  
Inmos microprocessor factory, Capel Manor House, Willis Building, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Hong Kong and Shanghai

The Renault Centre (or the Renault Distribution Centre) is a high tech 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. It was listed Grade II** by English Heritage in 2013.

Renault Centre 1000 images about HIGH TECH RENAULT on Pinterest Models

Design

Renault Centre wwwjustpractisingcomwpcontentuploads201309

The architecture expressed not only the corporate ownership with 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 office elements, making no distinction between white- and blue-collar workers.

Renault Centre Renault Distribution Centre Foster Partners

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 Centre Renault Distribution Centre Foster Partners

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 Structural Steel Award, Civic Trust Award and Financial Times 'Architecture at Work' Award.

References

Renault Centre Wikipedia