The
cool white office blocks and mushroom capped round chamber were designed by
the City Architect, George Kenyon. The main 12-storey block is capped by a copper
lantern and beacon with three castles from the coat of arms 250 ft above the
ground. A carillon in the tower plays Tyneside tunes four times a day. Impressive
use is made of modern sculpture with a 16 ft long River God Tyne and Swans in
Flight both by David Wynne.