Fletcher Priest Architects PR 29 Oct 2007

Fletcher Priest has released the first images of a new urban quarter for the City.



The scheme for Watermark Place Oxford One Investment Limited, UBS Global Asset Management and City Offices LLP comprises 530,000 sq ft (net) office and retail space.

Watermark Place is located on the Thames adjacent to the Grade 2 listed Cannon Street station and occupies a site defined by its maritime heritage.

Upper Thames Street to the north marks the line of the Roman Wharf, All Hallows Lane to the west and Angel Passage to the east gave access to the working river, now defined by its 18c river wall. This location and heritage informs the design proposals.

The building responds to the constraints of the St Paul’s heights with lower blocks to the river and a 12 storey block behind slipped in plan to reduce its visual bulk. The roofs have extensive gardens and terraces at the lower levels while the Sedum planted roof at the top floor contributes to the bio-diversity of the site.

Angel Passage is pedestrianised and widened below the building and the riverside blocks angled to catch mid day and evening sun, helping to create the largest south facing riverside public space in the City between the Palace of Westminster and the Tower of London.



Unusually for a City development, but in line with Fletcher Priest’s core values, the development yields a low carbon footprint. The highly efficient cladding provides 20-25% improvement over and above the new Part L2 requirements. It is generated from a computer pixiliated image of water to give a dappled effect and helps identify the site as a riverside location. Other sustainable elements include water recycling and extensive use of photovoltaic panels. BREEAM excellent is expected.

The south east building is double skinned, enclosing timber louvers which rotate to protect the building from the sun and animate the public space. The fully glazed south west building is protected by a massive 5 storey timber structure reminiscent of the maritime heritage of the site. The building sits on the basement level of the original telephone exchange, speeding construction and reducing risk. 95% of all demolition materials have been recycled. Construction has just started on site and the project is due for completion in mid 2009.

Issued 291007 by Stratton & Reekie on behalf of Fletcher Priest Architects



London Architects

Watermark Place: Fletcher Priest Architects

London Architecture



World Architecture : e-architect - a guide to key buildings across the globe

Comments / photos for the Watermark Place Building page welcome:
info@e-architect.co.uk

Watermark Place London - page : adrian welch / isabelle lomholt