The uppermost floors step back from the street line and are clad
in a dark bronze anodised aluminium. This spills down to provide
a material distinction that divides and connects the different uses.
The materials and their proportions have been selected to express
the uses of the building. The scale of the commercial element—
fully let to Facebook for its UK headquarters—is much bigger, with
large linear picture windows and full-width dappled, stainless
steel spandrel panels. In contrast, the residential element has
more appropriately sized glazing, and is far more tactile and
playful. The ceramics are light in colour; some are handmade, some
are pressed, and some are extruded to give a variety of finishes,
reflections and shadows, but each serves to show a certain level
of detail and quality.
There are 160 apartments in total, with 50 different types to
minimise repetition and add a sense of uniqueness. Apartments
have their own outside space, be it a balcony or a terrace; these are
expressed with either a crisp glass balustrade on the upper levels
or with rolled, ribbed, ceramic balconies with steel spindles and
crafted timber handrails.
Graham Longman, project architect, said: “This project is indicative
of a London that is changing—adapting for Crossrail but also
adapting for people. It has successfully combined and expressed
a number of uses and added value—not only for the end-users
but also the general public, through the delivery of a new, publicly
accessible space at its heart. We look forward to seeing it evolve
over the coming years.”
About Make Architects
Make is an award-winning international architectural practice
with a reputation for challenging convention and pursuing design
excellence. Since they opened in 2004, they’ve worked on more
than 1,300 projects worldwide covering a wide range of sectors,
delivering 68 built schemes from studios across three continents.
Their work is inspired by a singular purpose; to design the best
buildings, places and spaces in the world.
www.makearchitects.com