News International London : Architecture Information

17 Nov 2009 News International Granted Planning Permission to Transform Historic Wapping Site News International welcomes the decision by the Tower Hamlets Strategic Development Committee granting planning permission for the re-modelling of the main building at its historic site in Wapping. The planning permission marks an important step in the process to bring new life to the Wapping site. When completed, the building will represent a unique and modern working environment bringing News International, Harper Collins, MySpace, Dow Jones, Fox and all related businesses under one roof for the first time. The plans aim also to regenerate the local area, opening up the site through the creation of publicly accessible walkways and new public spaces, including a restaurant. They will also bring new life to the whole area, providing for over 4,300 jobs that will include apprenticeships and internship schemes for residents of Tower Hamlets. In addition, the re-modelled building sets new standards in working environments and sustainability, exceeding all GLA guidelines. The re-modelled building has been designed by Amanda Levete Architects. The proposal for the building includes a 33m high atrium carved out of the original print works with a series of other atria along main circulation paths to maximise natural lighting and ventilation. News International will now begin the next phase of design work. News International London image / information from Amanda Levete Architects Previously: NEWSLONDON 2008 At 20-acres the site is one of the largest developments in London with considerable transformative potential both for News Corporation and for the local community. The existing industrial environment is being re-worked to create a world class media campus, bringing together all News Corporation’s UK operations including The Times, Sunday Times, News of the World and the Sun newspapers, Dow Jones, Harper Collins, MySpace and 20th Century Fox. The proposal for the building includes a spectacular 18m high atrium carved out of the original print works. Great swathes of light are cut into the building and puncture the space with a series of atria along the main circulation paths to maximize natural day lighting and ventilation. Opening up the building in this way creates a greater interaction with the public realm. Designed to enhance the creative energy of News Corporation, the campus will set new standards in working environments and sustainability and it will be one of the largest naturally ventilated office buildings in the UK. The site is being opened up through demolition of the perimeter walls and the creation of public walkways. A new entrance at the east end of the site to be shared with Tobacco Dock will provide access to a museum, restaurants, retail units and other public spaces. Pending planning permission work will start on site in 2010 and complete in 2013. News International London - Building Information Client: News Corporation Ltd Lead Architect: Amanda Levete Architects Principal: Amanda Levete Directors: Kwamina Monney, Ho-Yin Ng Project Team: Katie Newall, Liz Ferguson, Fredrick Pitmann, Gidon Fuehrer, Ciriaco Castro Diez, Steven Jones, David Flynn, Filippo Prevatali, Gemma Douglas, Taneli Mansik, Maximilano Arrocet, Manuel Irsara, Matthew Wilkinson, Cyril Manyara John O'Mara, Alan Dempsey, Andreas Groh, Ralph Eikelberg, Andreas Schon, Henning Dehn, Donald Carson, Kwon Jung Sung, Eugene Lee, Sarah Samoy, Adam Holloway Program: Multimedia Headquarters; Offices, Restaurant, Museum / Archive, Potential retail space for local businesses Area - building: 98,595 sqm Project Manager: Savant Cost Consultant: Savant Structural Engineer: Arup Services Engineer: Arup Acoustic Consultant: Arup Planning Consultant: DP9 Landscape Architect: Gross Max Heritage Consultant: Dan Cruickshank Access Consultant: David Bonnett Associates Work Place Consultant: Pringle Brandon Start on site: 2010 Completion: 2013 BACKGROUND Amanda Levete Architects were selected to lead the project. Arup were appointed to manage engineering and sustainability. Gross Max are landscape architects for the project. In September 2008 News Corporation opted to remain at its historic Wapping site and create an innovative campus to house its entire UK operations. The titles which will eventually operate from Wapping include: - The Times - The Sun - News of the World - the london paper - Dow Jones - Harper Collins - 20th Century Fox - MySpace News International London image / information from Amanda Levete Architects