NSC 23
February 18
However, breaking up the regimentation
in the floorplates are two atriums
positioned on either side of the core. On
the eastern side of the building one atrium
starts at level four and extends upwards to
the underside of level six. The fifth floor
overlooks the atrium and wraps around the
inside of the void. On the opposite side of
the building, another taller atrium begins
at fifth floor and extends upwards to the
underside of level eight. Within this void,
floors six and seven overlook and wrap
around the inside.
Having two large atriums may be to the
liking of the building’s imminent tenant,
but possible future occupiers could have
different ideas and needs.
In order to give the building maximum
future flexibility, the atriums can be covered
over to create more office space, as Severfield
Project Manager Kyle Fletcher explains.
“We’ve installed extra beams within the
frame, adjacent to the voids. They currently
perform no structural duties, but if needed
they can be unbolted from their locations
and installed across the atriums.”
Prior to installing these extra beams,
Severfield undertook a trial erection to make
sure the steelwork fitted and could span the
atriums.
The trial and the entire steelwork erection
programme was carried out using the site’s
two tower cranes. The only exception being
a couple of 7t beams needed for the upper
office levels.
Too heavy for the tower cranes, they
needed to be installed by a large mobile
crane, which required a Saturday morning
partial road closure of Handyside Street.
The building is topped by a generous
landscaped roof terrace which is known as
level 11. A step in the floor separates this
area from a plant zone, which is called level
10. More plant is located on floor 12, which
is a steel-framed deck set back from levels
11 and 10 and occupying approximately one
third of the building’s footprint.
S2 is the first part of a two-building
scheme, with the adjacent Building S1
having recently gained planning approval.
Buildings S1 and S2 will be linked
stylistically according to the project architect
Michel Mossessian.
“S1, like S2 will be clad in a textured black
stone that frames the buildings, forming the
mass, and contrasting strongly with the light
of the white ‘cavities’ in the façade. These
cavities frame the windows and connect the
buildings to the exterior space, highlighting
the connection to the public realm.”
The space between the two buildings
will form a dramatic sculptural void and
act as a passageway, leading to a new public
square that will be home to some distinctive
restaurants.
“The key is to acknowledge that there
is a fine line between public, curated and
private tenants’ realm, from the ground up
to the rooftops of the buildings,” adds Mr
Mossessian. “This is what really makes the
spaces hang together and generate a strong
and engaging urban and spatial character
for users.”
Building S2 is due to complete this
summer.
Commercial
FACT FILE
Building S2, London
Main client: Argent
Architect:
Mossessian & Partners
Structural engineer:
Ramboll
Steelwork contractor:
Severfield
Steel tonnage: 1,700t
A design change has
resulted in a modern
steel-framed office
building
/Steel-supported_glazed_facades_and_roofs#Atrium_Roofs_and_Sky_lights
/Multi-storey_office_buildings#Flexibility_and_adaptability
/Accuracy_of_steel_fabrication#Trial_erection
/Construction#Steel_erection
/Construction#Tower_cranes
/Construction#Mobile_cranes
/Construction#Mobile_cranes