Dundee House

Client: Dundee City Council Architect: Reiach and Hall Edinburgh
Main Contractor: Bovis Lend Lease Installer/Subcontractor: Lesterose Scotland Ltd (Lester0142)
Products: Petersen D71 Facing Brick size Format 228x108x54mm plus Brick Specials.
Quantity Supplied: 196,000No Facing Brick, 5000No Brick Specials (Mainly Cut & Bonded Angles)

The new headquarters for Dundee Council is an important catalyst in the regeneration of this part of the city centre. The historic and protected derelict Edwardian former D C Thompson printing works was retained, and ingeniously combined with bold new build extensions above and to the rear of the historic block. The original listed machine hall is incorporated into the new building to form a dramatic arcade that is used for offices and meetings.

The building was designed on sustainable principles, with a narrow floor plate to allow natural lighting and ventilation, and the contrast between new and old building material, is consciously juxtaposed.

The restrained, formal facade and simple palette of materials, provide a modern finish, along with subtle hints of Scandinavian style. An elegant long, thin brick produced by a Danish manufacturer, was selected by Edinburgh architects Reiach and Hall, and used with flush white mortar joints. From a distance, the brickwork appears like a monolithic piece of stone, yet close-up you can see the crafted quality and details of the individual bricks.

The building has won a host of accolades, including Brick Development Association Awards Best International Project in 2011.