Inland Revenue Centre Amenity Building, Nottingham

Amenity centre built between 1993 and 1994 to designs by Michael Hopkins & Partners, as part of the Inland Revenue Centre.

MATERIALS: a building of steel, concrete and glass construction, under a tented fabric roof supported on steel masts.

PLAN: the building is essentially rectangular in plan, although with curved sides. It is entered from its southern end, which is accessed from the central boulevard which runs through the Inland Revenue site.

EXTERIOR: the building is characterised by the tensile fabric structure, supported on steel masts, which provides its roof covering. The central section of the tented roof covers the majority of the building, and is hung from four masts, two at each end. There are secondary, lower sections of tented roof which cover each side of the building. The fabric roof is punctuated by glazing between the main roof and side roofs, and in the main roof itself.

The structure of the building beneath comprises of steel framed glazed walls and concrete floors; the structure of the first floor is largely exposed and overhangs the ground floor, outside of which it is supported on piloti at intervals. To the sides, the ground floor elevation is largely solid with high level windows, while the first floor is glazed.

The main entrance to the building is in its southern elevation, in a projecting, glazed entrance lobby with rotating doors. On each side elevation there are flights of stairs which give direct access to the first floors.

INTERIOR: the main entrance opens into a reception area, behind which is the central games court in a full-height space open to the roof. The court itself has a sprung timber floor with glazed barriers around it. It is surrounded by walkways on each side; at the reception end there are twin stairs which give access to the first floor walkways. At ground floor level, there are service rooms and facilities down each side, with a larger space at the rear end which was originally used as a creche.

When viewed from the games court, the first floor is fully enclosed with glazing, and the steel masts which support the roof structure are visible throughout. Around the first floor are some kitchen and staff restaurant facilities as well as open communal areas.