VISION Issue 46 | Page 16

VISION 46 — BABY GRAND
It ’ s structural elegance and economy clearly contribute to its X-factor . Architects bring together a range of experiences from the scientific right through to the very artistic . In our own project team , led by project Architect Nick Elias , we had talented people who really cared about all aspects right down to the fine detailing . Everything has been beautifully considered , not just with the materials , which are very harmonious throughout , but it ’ s a sensitive approach which has an eye attuned to scale , and how all of the parts connect and are detailed .
Are the best buildings products of simplicity ? Sometimes you can draw a building in three strokes of the hand and it ’ s really the essential idea that comes through . For this building it ’ s about having a very clear ground plane . It ’ s virtually a big platform where all of these innovative activities occur . Above it is another ground plane , if you like – the roof plane , and connecting those two is this very dynamic structure which represents the transfer of structural forces in a really elegant way into the ground , and that ’ s really the essential diagram for the project .

“ It ’ s virtually a big platform where all of these innovative activities occur . Above it is another ground plane , if you like – the roof plane , and connecting those two is this very dynamic structure .”

LUKE JOHNSON , ARCHITECT