Willis Headquarters at Lime Street / Foster + Partners

Foster + Partners just informed us that the new Willis headquarters at Lime Street in London is complete. As usual, the firm lead by Sir Norman Foster developed a urban piece that integrates with the city at street level and features environmental strategies to reduce its energy consumption and carbon footprint.

This two buildings are developed as a series of overlapping curved shells while its section is arranged in three steps. The roof terraces overlooking the plaza on the lower two steps are directly accessible from the office spaces. Both buildings have a central core to provide open floor plates and maximum flexibility in use.

The entire development is visually unified by its highly reflective façade. The pressed form of the panels and their mica finish give them depth and texture. A dynamic effect is established through the interplay of solid and glazed panels arranged in a saw-tooth pattern, the fins also increase insulation while reducing glare
and solar gain.

Together with the highly efficient services equipment and systems in the building, the façade design is integral to the energy strategy, which is rated BREEAM Excellent. What surprised me is the parking capacity: 42 Cars, 88 motorcycles, 264 bicycles

According to Sir Norman Foster this building has come out of a very different design process, yet continues the practice’s commitment to developing humane, flexible and dynamic workplaces that are both informed by, and woven into, the urban fabric. Foster has some very interesting approaches when it comes to sustainable design and urban spaces. I recommend checking his presentation at DLD we posted last week.

And now, some pictures and facts.

Client: The British Land Co plc, Stanhope plc
Tenant: Willis
Architect: Foster + Partners
Location: 51 Lime Street, London
Site Area: 31,752m²
Area (gross): 67,649m²
Area (net): 50,107m²
Typical Floor Area: 1,870m²

Height: 124.7m above ground to top level
Storeys: Ground plus 23 levels of accommodation plus 5 floors of roof top plant. Landscaped terraces on level 16 and 23

Height: 43.8m above ground
Storeys: Ground plus 9 levels of accommodation plus 1 level of roof top plant. Landscaped terrace on level 9

Parking: 42 Cars, 88 motorcycles, 264 bicycles
Structure: Concrete core, steel frame and metal decking

Cladding:
East/West façade: Triple glazed externally ventilated
North/South façade: 1/2 solid insulated aluminium clad panels, 1/2 double glazed units

Public space: 2 large pedestrianised piazzas

Structural Engineers: Whitbybird
Quantity Surveyors: Davis Langdon Mott Green Wall
Mechanical & Electrical Engineers: Roger Preston & Partners
Landscape Consultant: Charles Funke Associates
Lighting Consultant: Equation Lighting Design
Construction Manager: Mace Ltd.

You can compare this building on the London skyline diagram from the Skyscraper Page.

All images © Foster + Partners.