22 Bishopsgate - United Kingdom
The highest tower in the City of London's financial center, 22 Bishopsgate, was designed by PLP Architecture for AXA IM - Real Assets and Lipton Rogers Developments. Its twenty-three-sided, faceted glass form, intended to respect townscape views, provides a bold and peaceful background to the surrounding articulated towers and the historic fabric of the Bank of England Conservation Area.
The structure was created with the individual's health in mind. Higher ceilings, enhanced daylight management, better fresh air, and facilities combine to support individuals in traditional and new ways of working at 22 Bishopsgate art and craft. Outside of the office area, roughly 100,000 square feet is devoted to facilities that aim to improve the building's users' and the public's everyday experience.
The structure is a Vertical Village, designed to support and care for its 12,000 residents. A Bike Park includes 1699 parking places, showers and lockers, as well as safety education and bicycle repair. On level 2, the Market offers a range of fresh foods, open kitchens, events, and an outdoor terrace. The Exchange on level 7 is a double-height area with co-working, media suites, meeting rooms, and networking and event facilities for eligible start-ups at lower rents. A double-height glass climbing wall, as well as specialized training amenities including a high-altitude room, on-demand personal and group training sessions, and a juice bar, are all available at the gym. Relaxation, Pilates and yoga, as well as health services, are available at the Retreat on level 41. The Club, located on the 57th floor, allows occupants of any size to host clients in a small room or at a conference.
22 Bishopsgate establishes a fresh, good engagement with the city and the general population. Pedestrian access is opened up through the cluster at the city's centre, transforming it into landscaped public open space. Wind mitigation canopies and a management system that consolidates deliveries to the building and decreases the number of vehicle trips required, resulting in lower emissions, have been implemented to increase public well-being. Five stories of restaurants, bars with an outdoor terrace, and London's highest and most accessible Viewing Gallery give new perspectives on the city.
Art and craft have been incorporated into the architectural design, continuing the traditions of centuries-old City Guilds and providing visitors with a richer experience. The entrance hall is a multi-level foyer designed as an art gallery with rotating displays. Glass canopies by Alexander Beleschenko and a leather hand-crafted reception 'library' by Bill Amberg are among the building's permanent fixtures. Pierre Renart, a French furniture designer, has been commissioned to create sculptural, figural walnut pieces. At eight metres per second, London's and Europe's fastest double deck lifts ferry passengers quickly to their destination. Artist Bruce McLean produced bright and colorful art, a unique painting for each passenger lift car.
From the front door to the glass façade and everything in between, 22 Bishopsgate is imbued with smart technologies. Staff admission is simplified using opt-in facial recognition technology, and QR entry codes issued with meeting invites eliminate the need for a queue at the reception desk. Roving receptionists greet visitors and offer assistance as needed. The glass closed-cavity façade not only improves daylight transmission dramatically, but it also includes user-controlled smart blinds, which contributes significantly to the building's BREEAM 'Excellent' rating.
Location: London
Height: 278m
Floors: 62
Architects: PLP Architecture for AXA IM - Real Assets and Lipton Rogers Developments
Building Function: Restaurant / Office / Shop
Completion: 2021
