Construction is due to commence in early April on the new £7m Bathgate Partnership Centre, designed by BDP.

The 2550sqm project for West Lothian Council is programmed for completion in summer 2011

Located on a prominent site in the West Lothian town, the proposals consolidate the currently dispersed council services under one roof. The partnership ethos for the new building is based on a concept of a shared working space strategy which will allow operational interfaces between the various stakeholders, providing users with a with a 'one stop shop'.

The ground floor of the two storey building houses a public library, advice shop, community centre and café, grouped around a double height street. The upper floor accommodates open plan offices for the various council departments, and allows for flexible working patterns by providing the occupants with a variety of meeting spaces and quiet areas.

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A south facing enclosed garden and orchard to the rear of the building enables ground floor activities such as the library, café and crèche to spill out into a dynamic external space.

The facades are clad in random cut Caithness flagstone and seamed brass to create a welcoming yet appropriately civic presence, and to set a benchmark for future urban realm improvements in the town.

The building has a sedum roof and incorporates a small scale gas CHP system, natural ventilation including a solar flue to utilize the stack effect, a heat displacement and recovery system as well as a number of other energy reduction measures. It will have an EPC rating of B+.

The new building will provide a feeling of belonging and pride by being clearly identifiable as an integral part of the local community, as well as being modern, attractive, spacious and practical to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

(GK)