EPR in association with Make, have recently received Planning Consent on this office scheme, located in a prominent position between two bridges, the desire was to reach out towards the River Thames in a similar manner. This presented the opportunity to create a unique building that offers high quality accommodation, maximising view potential. This should be achieved, while also setting a new standard of sustainable design, in an urban setting.

The existing building that was once on the edge of the river, prior to the construction of the underpass, is now the only part of the site that is truly ground bearing, the remainder of the site being the air space over the underpass and river wall. The presence of half a Roman barge under the river wall meant that any significant support on or through it would be difficult. The concept that developed was to hang the building over the underpass, anchoring it down to the ground where the existing building is located.

The development of this concept is defined in the architectural proposal by expressed primary structure to both sides, between which the building is suspended over the underpass. These structure members are in turn tied down to the ground at the northern end of the site and work in conjunction with the main core located to the north east.

The public entrance is located in the north west corner adjacent to the bridge abutment. This has influenced the core design so all the solid elements of the building are concentrated to the north and north east. This enables the building to offer completely open floors, free of any visual obstruction. An opening in the envelope provides access to the external stair for secondary escape purposes on the eastern side of the river wall.

The sense of transition from ground bearing to suspended structure is carried through in the expression of the cladding. Solid at the northern end, moving to transparent at the southern end, facing on to the river, while also being more transparent on the west to take benefit of the more open aspect and exceptional views along the embankment.

Client: Corporation of London