Grafton House
{{Short description|Office building in Ipswich, Suffolk, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
File:Ipswich borough council offices.jpg Headquarters, Ipswich, Grafton House from W End Road.]]
Grafton House (known as Ipswich Borough Council HQ) is the headquarters for Ipswich Borough Council and Smartest Energy.{{cite web|url=http://www.smartestenergy.com/Contact-Us/Ipswich-Office/Ipswich-Office.aspx|publisher=Smart Energy|title=our Ipswich office|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023030032/http://www.smartestenergy.com/Contact-Us/Ipswich-Office/Ipswich-Office.aspx|archivedate=2014-10-23}} Located on Russell Road opposite Endeavour House, Grafton House is a 6-storey building and was designed by Consarc Consulting Architects and construction was completed in 2006 as part of the Ipswich Village Development. The building consists of mixed retail units at ground level including a coffee shop
{{cite web|url=http://www.eadt.co.uk/business/features/ipswich_cool_beanz_coffee_shop_at_grafton_house_is_keeping_things_local_1_2191858|publisher=eadt|title=Ipswich: Cool Beanz coffee shop at Grafton House is keeping things local|accessdate=5 July 2025}} and 60,000 sq feet of office space. Grafton House was also classed as 'very good' by BREEAM standards.{{cite web|url=http://www.architecture.com/FindAnArchitect/ArchitectPractices/ConsarcConsultingArchitects/Projects/IpswichBoroughCouncilHeadquarters.aspx|publisher=Architecture.com|title=IPSWICH BOROUGH COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS|accessdate=5 July 2025}}
Design
The building is constructed with an in situ cast post tensioned concrete frame sits on top of piled foundations with Precast brickwork spandrels and columns frame openings. The exterior walls are aluminium curtain walling, with timber windows, external rendering, timber and rain screen cladding. The building can hold 500 people and makes the most of a small site. There is car parking to the rear of the building and there is also a multi-storey car park (shared with Endeavour House) with access from Constantine Road.{{cite web|url=http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/assets/suffolk.gov.uk/Home%20Page/AccesstoEHFinal.pdf |publisher=Suffolk.gov |title=Access to Endeavour House |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020063328/http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/assets/suffolk.gov.uk/Home%20Page/AccesstoEHFinal.pdf |archive-date=2014-10-20 }}
The buildings design is very urban and has a very simple floor plan. The building is split into 3, each linked with a small glass corridor to break up the long narrow floor plan. The construction also kept the existing trees along Russell Road and added a modern sculpture next to the entrance to add an urban feel.{{cite web |title=Grafton House |url=https://www.consarc.co.uk/projects/grafton-house/ |publisher=Consarc Architects |access-date=5 July 2025}}
Sustainability
Key design features include a naturally ventilated atrium, energy-efficient lighting, and rooftop solar panels that contribute to reducing the building’s carbon footprint. The five-storey structure is arranged around a central atrium that allows daylight to penetrate deep into the building, cutting down on the need for artificial lighting.
Consarc’s design achieved a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating and incorporates passive design principles such as natural ventilation and maximised daylight penetration. These features reduce the building’s energy demand while providing a comfortable working environment for council staff and commercial tenants.
References
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Category:2006 establishments in England