DLG COMPLETES THE ATRIUM IN CAMBERLEY

Award winning practice DLG Architects has announced the completion of The Atrium, a significant £130 million mixed-use scheme in Camberley, Surrey as it throws open its doors for the first time.Encompassing a total of 6.5 acres, the development combines 247,000 sq ft of town centre retail and leisure accommodation with 217 one and two bedroom luxury apartments, it is a joint venture between Crest Nicholson Regeneration and Surrey Heath Borough Council.

Since securing planning approval in December 2005, DLG Architects has led the entire design process to enable the centre to be delivered and opened on programme for Christmas trading.The new development has created a seamless transition between the residential neighbourhood on the fringes of the site and the commercial centre of the town.The tired and run down retail area of Park Street has been transformed into a traffic free public space linking The Atrium with the existing retail centre of Main Square using contemporary and quality materials to redefine the quarter and provide dynamic retail and entertainment space.

The Atrium includes a680-space car park, a 1,906 seat, nine screen multiplex cinema operated by Vue, a 20 lane bowling family entertainment venue by Bowlplex, Golds health and fitness club and an array of restaurants including Frankie and Benny, Chiquittos, Prezzo, Wagamama, Estilo, Nandos, Bella Italia, Real China, Café Nino and Starbucks.Over 70 percent of the retail space has been let or is currently under negotiation and current tenants include high street names such as Next, Laura Ashley, Sports Direct and Zavi.

DLG designed the scheme so that the leisure aspect is accessed via a stunning triple height glazed atrium, hence the name.The space is passive thermal controlled using the high thermal mass of the south facing precast concrete feature wall for winter heat retention and summer cooling.As part of its approach towards integrated sustainable design, DLG has also installed a state of the art ‘etfe’ lightweight roof providing a high degree of daylight and integral solar shading.

Paul Bradley, Director at DLG Architects in London comments: “We are delighted to have played an integral part in the delivery of this complex project which secures Camberley’s current and future position as a great place to live and as a primary shopping and entertainment destination for the local and wider community.As it opens its doors to the public for the first time it brings a wealth of much needed family-orientated leisure facilities that are enclosed within a safe environment.

“Working on The Atrium has enabled us to utilise the multi-disciplinary skills of DLG bringing together our experience of not only master planning and mixed-use development but retail, leisure and residential to redefine urban living and recreation in the heart of Camberley.”