The existing 1930s building never fully exploited the potential of its doughnut plan. The way into the council chamber lies on the far side from the central entrance and the link across generates an external light well on either side which over time filled with ad hoc extensions. The proposals rationalise the building’s organisation focused on a central atrium. This acts as a circulation and social hub as well as the opening up of the ground floor to create unbroken sight lines from side to side. The same clearing away has taken place at first floor level making a building that could be disorientating to use clear and legible. Additional office space created on a new second floor which extends into the roof space.