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
Mixed-Use | Oct 25, 2018
Philadelphia’s uCity Square kicks off major expansion drive
This innovation center has several office, lab, and residential buildings in the works.
Office Buildings | Oct 25, 2018
Stantec consolidates three Portland-area offices into one downtown location
Stantec worked with Ankrom-Moisan Architects on the design.
Office Buildings | Oct 8, 2018
Netflix leases Epic, an under construction office tower in Hollywood
Gensler designed the building.
Office Buildings | Oct 1, 2018
NASA’s Cleveland-based Glenn Research Center to receive a new centerpiece
TEN Arquitectos designed the building.
Office Buildings | Sep 19, 2018
Manhattan’s Meatpacking District has a new tallest tower
CetraRuddy designed the office building.
Office Buildings | Sep 17, 2018
TaylorMade Canada HQ includes golf laboratory and product showroom
ZZen Design Build was the general contractor for the project.
Office Buildings | Sep 5, 2018
Facebook’s new Frank Gehry-designed Menlo Park HQ extension includes a massive green roof
Level 10 Construction was the general contractor for the project.
Office Buildings | Aug 27, 2018
The open office isn't dead
The degree of open or enclosed doesn't matter in high-performing work environments. If the space is designed to function well, all individual space types are rated as equally effective.
Office Buildings | Aug 17, 2018
An elliptical office building goes with the flow in Boston
Exterior design cuts waste, saves energy, says Building Team members.
Office Buildings | Aug 14, 2018
Flexibility tops office workers' wish lists, followed by healthcare
A survey of 1,000 office workers in the US and UK found that men value health insurance above any other work perk, whereas women would prefer more flexibility in their office job.