The Forum – UK

Best practice award – DECOMO UK

The British Precast Concrete Federation’s (BPCF) Project Award winner was a project of DECOMO UK, called The Forum, Elmer Square. It is situated in Southend-on-Sea and project was finsihed in August 2013.

The £27 million project was funded by a unique threeway client share arrangement with Sea Borough Council, the University of Essex and South Essex College.

The forum represents the centre of Southend’s edicational quarter. the building provides a modern academic and municipal  library, learning facilities, a café, an arts venue and a new home for the Focal Point Gallery.

In addition to shared use of the library, the College and University have also aquired modern research and education facilities including a lecture theatre, teaching areas, seminar rooms and administration offices.

Material: Light coloured precast architectural concrete with an acid etched finish.

The building is currently under BREEAM assessment, awaiting final BRE approval, it will receive a BREEAM “Excellent” rating.

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