Block C, County Hall

Name: One Darnley Road
Price range: $

Taunton, UK

Services

Architecture

Sectors

Residential

People

AHR Residential C Block County Hall Architecture Taunton N11

project overview

Breathing new life into a vacant civic building

The redevelopment of Block C at County Hall in Taunton will provide 111 high quality homes for key workers in the heart of the town. Delivering 4,600 sqm of residential accommodation, the scheme responds directly to local housing need while making intelligent use of previously developed land.

Released through the council’s asset management strategy, the building offered a valuable opportunity to rethink how existing assets can better support communities. Rather than starting again, our approach focuses on retaining and repurposing what is already there, reducing waste and protecting embodied carbon.

The result is a carefully considered high-rise building that will support wellbeing, promote sustainable living and strengthen the connection between people and place. As a higher-risk building, our design embeds a clear and robust approach to fire safety, compliance and long-term performance.

design concept

A design that supports modern, safe and comfortable living

Our design is shaped by a clear understanding of the building’s structure, its urban context and the day to day needs of future residents. Generous open plan floorplates and the existing reinforced concrete frame offer a natural flexibility, making it possible to shape well organised homes with good daylight and easy, intuitive movement throughout.

Our proposals have developed through a careful, responsive process, balancing planning requirements, technical considerations and ongoing conversations with stakeholders. The focus is on creating welcoming, accessible spaces, bringing in more natural light and helping the building feel comfortably part of its setting.

A new stair core on the eastern elevation introduces a compliant fire strategy, including a secondary means of escape and evacuation lift. Supporting elements such as a purpose built bin store, new substation and secure basement cycle storage are integrated in a way that works naturally with the building and encourages more sustainable travel choices.

Improvements to the external envelope, including recladding and new windows, gently enhance thermal performance while aligning with the new residential layout. Together, these changes help create a more comfortable internal environment and support the building’s long term performance, extending its life in a positive and practical way.

By retaining the existing structure, the scheme minimises demolition and reduces the environmental impact associated with new build construction.
The building, originally developed in the 1960s and 1970s, becomes a blank canvas for transformation, demonstrating the ongoing value of adaptable, well constructed assets"

Bill Storer

Project Director, Architecture

reuse

At the heart of the project is a commitment to thoughtful reuse

A fabric first approach sits at the heart of the reuse strategy, making the most of the existing building fabric to reduce energy demand before introducing new systems. By upgrading insulation, improving air tightness and carefully enhancing performance, the design builds on what is already there rather than replacing it. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), low carbon heating and energy efficient LED lighting are then layered in to further reduce operational energy use and support a comfortable, healthy indoor environment.

The building’s heritage context is approached with the same care. While Block C is a non-designated heritage asset, its relationship with the neighbouring Grade II listed Block A is thoughtfully considered, ensuring the redevelopment respects its setting while giving the building a clear new purpose.

Together, this careful refurbishment and adaptive reuse approach reduces waste, retains embodied carbon and extends the life of an existing asset. It creates a sustainable, future ready place to live that supports key workers, strengthens local housing provision and shows how reuse can deliver meaningful social and environmental value without the need for new build.

key information