Thring Townsend's office is a breath of fresh air

AIR-CONDITIONING: staff go to naturally ventilated premises

Solicitors in the Swindon office of west country firm Thring Townsend will this week start learning to live without air-conditioning as the firm embraces new technology to provide naturally ventilated offices.

The 37-partner practice, which also has offices in Bath and Newbury, has moved into a purpose-built office development equipped with 'exposed soffits' throughout.

These are slabs of painted concrete set high to absorb heat generated by activity during the day and disperse it back into the office space at night.

Julian George, chairman of the Thring board, said: 'Air-conditioning consumes energy, tends to circulate germs and the control of humidity can be difficult.

Think dryness in the throat during long-haul flights.'

Staff will be able to use the new system by opening and shutting small high-level secure windows.

Floor shape has been kept especially narrow so that each person is within six metres of a window.

The office is wholly open plan, with quiet areas and small rooms 'to give staff space to break away, relax, and to encourage teamwork and the exchange of ideas', the firm said.Consulting engineer Mark Boulton, who worked on the building, said: 'It is interesting to see solicitors, normally thought of as a very traditional profession, being so much in the forefront of design and construction.'

Neil Rose