THE Swindon staff of solicitors Thring Townsend have moved from two main buildings in Old Town to a purpose built £2.2 million office development at Drakes Meadow, Greenbridge.

A new feature for the firm will be totally open plan offices for all 140 staff including partners.

"This will enable multi-disciplinary teams to communicate with each other and work together to a much greater degree than in most solicitors' offices," said Julian George, chairman of the Board of Partners at Thring Townsend.

"But there are also quiet areas and small rooms to give staff space to break away, relax and to encourage teamwork and exchanges of ideas.

"All things considered, the move went without a hitch."

Unusually the new offices are naturally ventilated rather than air conditioned.

"Research has proved that staff prefer natural ventilation because of its better quality" said Mr George.

"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."

With the naturally ventilated offices goes new technology, called exposed soffit, throughout. This is a slab of painted concrete set high that will absorb heat generated by activity during the day and disperse it back into the office space at night.

Floor shape has been kept especially narrow so that each person is no more than six metres from a window that can be opened.

Situated above large windows, these are small with opening lights that will, when required, allow excessively hot air to escape both during the day and night.

Consulting engineer and project manager Mark Boulton said: "It is interesting to see solicitors, normally thought of as a very traditional profession, embracing the forefront of design and construction and 'greenness' of the new building."

Thring Townsend see themselves as changing image from a well established regional firm of solicitors to a 21st century legal business and the move to Drakes Meadow is very much part of this.

The firm's new Swindon address is 6 Drakes Meadow, Penny Lane, Swindon SN3 3LL. The telephone number remains the same at 01793 410800.

Bath and Newbury staff will continue to work from their existing offices.