Would you like a side of ham with that gherkin? With the addition of Foggo Associates new “Can of Ham” office tower, describing London’s skyline is beginning to become more akin to reading from the shelves of your local grocery store.
Taking its nickname from its unique arched shape, 70 St. Mary Axe is a 446,863-sf, 21-story office tower that is the newest addition to a cluster of towers in the City of London. The building’s scheme provides efficient, flexible office space organized around a central core. Retail accommodation and public realm enhancements are incorporated at the ground level.
A double-height reception area with a front desk created as a one-off art installation, welcomes visitors into the building. 70 St. Mary Axe was created with movable walls for maximum flexibility. The 70 SMA app can be used to order food from the various coffee shops and cafes, book time in the building’s fitness amenities, hire the building’s bikes, or book meeting rooms and event spaces. Lounge spaces on the mezzanine level and the second floor are available to tenants with no booking required. Additionally, 70 St. Mary Axe has 328 cycle spaces on site and has achieved CS Platinum, the highest level of cycling score certification.
The distinctive height and form of the building were designed in response to strategic local views. Solar heat gains to the office space are reduced thanks to vertical shading fins on the curved facades and glazed double wall cladding on the end elevations. Borehole thermal energy storage and energy piles are also included to help the building achieve low carbon emissions.
Unfortunately for the Can of Ham and its new neighbors the Gherkin and the Cheese Grater, the Tulip will not be joining them as part of London’s colorfully-named skyline.
Related Stories
| May 31, 2013
Nation's first retrofitted zero-energy building opens in California
The new training facility for IBEW/NECA is the first commercial building retrofit designed to meet the U.S. Department of Energy’s requirements for a net-zero energy building.
| May 29, 2013
Realtors report positive trends in commercial real estate market
Realtors who practice commercial real estate have reported an increase in annual gross income for the third year in a row, signaling the market is on the road to recovery.
| May 24, 2013
First look: Revised plan for Amazon's Seattle HQ and 'biodome'
NBBJ has released renderings of a revised plan for Amazon's new three-block headquarters in Seattle. The proposal would replace a previously approved six-story office building with a three-unit "biodome."
| May 20, 2013
Jones Lang LaSalle: All U.S. real estate sectors to post gains in 2013—even retail
With healthier job growth numbers and construction volumes at near-historic lows, real estate experts at Jones Lang LaSalle see a rosy year for U.S. commercial construction.
| May 3, 2013
'LEED for all GSA buildings,' says GSA Green Building Advisory Committee
The Green Building Advisory Committee established by the General Services Administration, officially recommended to GSA that the LEED green building certification system be used for all GSA buildings as the best measure of building efficiency.
| May 2, 2013
A snapshot of the world's amazing construction feats (in one flashy infographic)
From the Great Pyramids of Giza to the U.S. Interstate Highway System, this infographic outlines interesting facts about some of the world's most notable construction projects.
| May 1, 2013
Groups urge Congress: Keep energy conservation requirements for government buildings
More than 350 companies urge rejection of special interest efforts to gut key parts of Energy Independence and Security Act
| Apr 30, 2013
Tips for designing with fire rated glass - AIA/CES course
Kate Steel of Steel Consulting Services offers tips and advice for choosing the correct code-compliant glazing product for every fire-rated application. This BD+C University class is worth 1.0 AIA LU/HSW.
| Apr 26, 2013
Apple scales back Campus 2 plans to reduce price tag
Apple will delay the construction of a secondary research and development building on its "spaceship" campus in an attempt to drive down the cost of developing its new headquarters.
| Apr 24, 2013
North Carolina bill would ban green rating systems that put state lumber industry at disadvantage
North Carolina lawmakers have introduced state legislation that would restrict the use of national green building rating programs, including LEED, on public projects.