SOUTHBANK SET TO SHINE
AS WESTMINSTER PLACE GETS PLANNING
11 Jul 2008
Images : Team Macarie
Sheppard Robson, on behalf of Delancey, has received planning consent
to redevelop York House into a glistening crystallised 18 storey office
building on the Southbank of the River Thames.
The 345,000 sq ft steel and glass structure will bring a new landmark
feature to Central London; highly visible from Parliament Square and Westminster
Bridge, acting as a gateway to the Southbank.
The development will comprise basement, lower ground, ground, and fifteen
upper floors with fully flexible floor plates of approximately 23,000
sq ft and an internal atria. The preeminent feature of the design is a
10,000 sq ft roof terrace offering panoramic views of the Thames and the
Houses of Parliament.
The central London location, large floor plates and innovative design
is designed to attract attention from leading media organisations - potential
tenants who could draw upon the inspirational surroundings to enhance
their creative output.
The fully glazed façade is divided into two skins which create
an environmental buffer between the inside and the outside, whilst also
reflecting and refracting light. The outer skin is a deformed grid that
pulls against diagonal fins to create a series of small pyramids contributing
to the jewel concept. This gives crystalline reflections and animates
the façade as the sun moves around it. Dichroic glass fins add
changing colour to the building façade throughout the day.
The energy efficient double skin glass facade building will conform to
the latest standards of sustainability. It will also incorporate renewable
energy sources helping to minimise energy consumption through the use
of proven technologies both in construction and operational performance
and is specified to achieve an excellent BREEAM rating.
The three storey high entrance to the building provides a visual connection
to the base of a full height atrium. To minimise the mass and impact of
the central elements the lifts have been broken free of the core and are
supported by a freestanding structural tree that provides connectivity
from top to base.
David Ardill, Sheppard Robson’s design director on the project, is
looking forward to realising his architectural ambitions for Westminster
Place – “We are delighted to receive planning consent and the
opportunity to bring a landmark building to the skyline of London’s
iconic Southbank. Sheppard Robson recognised the importance of a design
that sits comfortably in the context of its surroundings, yet has the
charisma and visual presence to justify its development in such a prominent
area of Central London.”
Delancey
Delancey is an investment adviser with a reputation for consistently delivering
significant returns across a wide spectrum of real estate and asset backed
opportunities on behalf of its international investor base.
Sheppard Robson
Sheppard Robson
is an international practice providing architectural, urban design, town
planning, masterplanning and interior design services. With more than
65 years experience, it is one of the largest practices in the UK with
over 350 people in established offices in London, Manchester and Glasgow.
The practice enjoys a reputation for excellence in design and professional
service, with extensive expertise in almost every development area and
was awarded an Environmental Leadership Award in the 2007 Business Commitment
to the Environment Awards.
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: adrian welch / isabelle lomholt