The Renault UK Distribution Centre was designed by Sir Norman
Foster, and completed in 1982. His brief was to create a building
that not only stood out in the car industry but was also
recognisable in the environment.
This he certainly achieved. The 'yellow Renault building' was
seen as a technical milestone in twentieth century architecture,
with computer-controlled technology exploited to an unprecedented
degree in the construction of a low-cost building. The distinctive
result was used for many years as a backdrop in advertising
campaigns, and was so distinctive that no logo needed to be
incorporated into the design.
It is made up of forty-two 24m x 24m bays, each constructed from
beams suspended from steel ties. Apart from the edges, it is the
same throughout. Sir Norman didn't want the usual situation of a
grand façade concealing a less impressive background.
As well as being the main UK distribution facility, the building
housed a warehouse, showroom, training school, workshop, offices,
and a staff restaurant.
The structure measures 288m by 96m, being 10m high at its
highest point and still 7.5m at the roof's lowest point. The
painted columns measure 450mm in diameter.
It cost £8,266,400 to build (from 1980-1982), or £349 per square
metre, and was painted yellow as this was Renault's corporate
colour.
The impressive result won many awards, four of which were: the
Structured Steel Award 1984, The Civil Trust Award 1984, the
Financial Times 'Architecture at Work' Award 1984 and the
Constructa Prize for Industrial Architecture in Europa 1986.
It also has the added claim to fame of being used in the 1985
Bond film 'A View to a Kill', with Roger Moore. Scenes were shot in
the distribution warehouse.
Sadly, Renault departed Swindon for the Midlands in November
2001, and the building's future was uncertain for some time. It was
Grade II listed in 2003 after the Twentieth Century Society lobbied
the Culture Secretary following rumours of a proposed
demolition.
Ikea considered opening a store there, and the Chinese
Government looked into leasing it, but the main inhabitants at the
moment are Allen Ford, who opened a car dealership there in May
2006.
Right! That's more than enough detail for the historically or
architecturally minded - on to the cache!
You have to work for the final co-ordinates, but not too hard.
The idea is to get you to fully appreciate the look and scale of
the building, whilst stretching your legs at the same time.
The going is part pavement part verge, so is flat but can get
damp underfoot.
The waypoints can be done in any order, so just start with the
one nearest to wherever you park, and take it from there.
| Waypoint 1: |
N 51 34.030 |
Position in alphabet of 8th letter = A |
|
W001 49.364 |
Number of rows of writing/2 = B |
| |
| Waypoint 2: |
N 51 34.101 |
Total number of rear vents/number of rows = C |
|
W001 49.419 |
|
| |
| Waypoint 3: |
N 51 34.003 |
The sum of the digits+2 = D |
|
W001 49.317 |
2nd digit minus 1st digit = E |
| |
| Waypoint 4: |
N 51 33.921 |
Number of letters in new name of building/4 = F |
|
W001 49.390 |
Number of columns supporting main porch = G |
| |
| Waypoint 5: |
N 51 33.974 |
2nd digit = H |
|
W001 49.343 |
|
| |
| |
| The final cache location is at: |
N 51 3E.C(H-A)G |
|
W001 4H.(B+F)F(D-G-E) |
Please be discreet when hunting for the cache. FTF prize is a
new set of TB tags. Also in the cache is our new TB 'Sk8er Boi' who
is ready to explore the world. Please check the cache is
water-tight before replacing, and happy hunting!