Blueprint Awards 2018 Winners Announced!
Best Non-Public Project – Commercial
Winner: Foster + Partners, UK
Bloomberg, London, UK
Image Credit: Nigel Young / Foster + Partners
Judges’ Comments
‘Brings sustainability to a new level.’ Ben van Berkel
‘This new urban block has a strong and considered facade, beautiful internal spaces and attention paid to streetscape and public art.’ Tina Norden
Bloomberg’s new European headquarters, located in the heart of the City of London, aims to be an exemplar of sustainable development, with a BREEAM Outstanding rating, and the highest design-stage score ever achieved by any major office development.
Occupying a full City block, the 1.3ha site comprises two buildings united by bridges that span an arcade. Three public plazas, located at each end of the arcade and in front of the building’s entrance, provide new civic spaces.
The building’s facade is defined by a structural sandstone frame, with a series of large-scale bronze ‘fins’ that shade the floor-to-ceiling glazing. The fins vary in scale, pitch and density across each facade according solar exposure, while being an integral part of the building’s natural ventilation system.
After passing through the reception lobby, visitors and occupants enter the Vortex — a dramatic double-height space created by three inclined, curving timber shells. On the sixth floor, a double-height ‘pantry’ forms the heart of the building. A distinctive hypotrochoid stepped ramp, characterised by its smooth continuous three-dimensional loop, flows through the full height of the building. Clad in bronze, the ramp is designed as a place of meeting and connection while not impeding the flow of people. The ceiling, inspired by the pressed metal ceilings of New York, comprises distinctive polished aluminium panels of ‘petals’ which perform multiple roles — ceiling finish, light reflectors, cooling elements and acoustic attenuation.
Highly Commended
studio mk27, Brazil
Micasa Vol.C, São Paulo, Brazil
Commended
Key Operation Inc. / Architects, Japan
Kanda Terrace, Tokyo, Japan
Finalists
Aedas, global
Lè Architecture, Taipei, Taiwan
Aedas, global
The Bankside Towers, Shanghai, China
BDP, UK
Bright Building, Manchester, UK
BuckleyGrayYeoman, UK
The Minster Building, London, UK
gad, China
Xixi Green Office Complex, Hangzhou, China
Henley Halebrown, UK
De Beauvoir Block, London, UK
Knox Bhavan, UK
Knox Bhavan Studio, London, UK
Make Architects, UK
London Wall Place, London, UK
Zaha Hadid Architects, UK
Generali Tower, Milan, Italy
Category sponsored by: ATRIVM