Weather-Watch Tower

Location: Bracknell

Client: Bracknell Borough Council

Sector: Culture, Civic and Sacred

Cost: £1.5m

Status: Concept

Awards

Royal Academy of Arts Non-Members Prize of Architecture, 1995

The Tower of the Winds was designed as a dramatic new symbol for Bracknell, then home of the Meteorological office. Weather-Watch was created to consist of two linked elements: an 80 metre high stainless steel tower containing petals of dichroic glass responding to the natural rhythms of wind and light and a children's discovery centre which explains, in an educational and entertaining way, the forces shaping weather and climate. This project won £1.5 million of funding from the Millennium Commission.

Sustainable and environmental features:

• Easily demountable and recyclable materials
• Energy efficient appliances
• Materials chosen for durability and long life
• Off-site construction
• Reduce time on site
• Robust detailing